About Hank Fincken :

Hank portrays Thomas Edison, Christopher Columbus, Henry Ford, Johnny Appleseed, WC Fields, a 1849 Argonaut named JG Bruff, Francisco Pizarro and Richard Crowley- the prosecutor at the Susan B. Anthony trial.

For over twenty years, Hank Fincken has toured the US performing his 8 original one-man plays in schools, parks, libraries, festivals, and universities throughout the United States. For the past ten years, he has performed in Chautauquas in eight different states. His characters include: Thomas Edison, Johnny Appleseed, Francisco Pizarro, Christopher Columbus, Henry Ford, W.C. Fields, and an 1849 Argonaut on The California Trail named J. G. Bruff. He has published some twenty plays and stories, dozens of essays, and one book: THREE MIDWEST HISTORY PLAYS AND THEN SOME. He was awarded the title Master Artist by the Indiana Arts Commission, Outstanding Performer by the Indiana Theatre Association, and won two national Pinnacle Awards for his teaching of the arts and history through video conferencing.

Hank was recently in a Hollywood film that featured Thomas Edison, wrote an original play for the city of Defiance about a young man who lived with the Shawnee in 1793, performed as Prosecutor Richard Crowley in Susan B. Anthony's trial (a reenactment) in Adams, New Hampshire (her birth city), and toured as Johnny along the Johnny Appleseed trail west. This summer he will be W.C. Fields in Oklahoma, Christopher Columbus in Ashland Ohio, and Henry Ford in Auburn Indiana.

Dave May, Executive Director for the Poncan Theatre in Ponca City, Oklahoma says:

"Hire Hank Fincken!  By far the best one man show we have had.  I say that after seeing two of his shows in as many days.  First he was the perfect W.C. Fields for an adult audience at our restored vaudeville theatre.  The next day we took his Thomas Edison show to a local children's home.  Both were smash hits.  As Fields he kept the audience laughing and then answered questions that I thought would go on forever.  As Edison, Fincken took a tough crowd of teens and had them eating out of his hand.  Hats off to the man of many hats, Hank Fincken.  Easy to work with and self contained, affordable and enjoyable, really what more can a show producer want?"

Living History Portrayals:

JOHNNY APPLESEED

NOT "JOHNNY" IF YOU PLEASE

70-year-old Johnny Appleseed shares some tall tale adventures concerning his travels throughout the Midwest. This is story-telling in theatre form, legend and fact becoming one. John Chapmen was a non-violent man in a violent time and as such deserves your attention today. (Performed all year round)

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

THE SHAME AND THE GLORY

The audience plays The Spanish Royal Court as Columbus attempts to explain his goals and deeds from 1492-1506. Mr. Fincken makes him flesh and blood in Columbus' own time. The audience must decide for itself whether the Admiral is hero or villain. (Performed all year round)

W. C. FIELDS

Is there anyone funnier than W.C. Fields? Well, welcome to his world or rather his private world in the bigger unreal Hollywood world. You see, this play takes place in Fields' movie lot trailer and you are his special guests, spirits from his past. It's July, 1941, and "Bill" is working on his last major film: Never Give a Sucker an Even Break. There have been problems on the set and his health is no laughing matter. He's lonely; suffers illusions, and needs an audience's smile. I guarantee that you will make this great comedian's bad day better. (Performed spring and summer)

HENRY FORD

FIT TO A "T"

When we talk about pioneers, we rarely mention industrial Pioneers. Henry Ford didn't invent the automobile, but his assembly line and five dollar a day wage of 1914 made the working class middle class. Suddenly, immigrants and rural Americans could dream of having luxuries reserved in the past only for the rich. Was he a saint? Hardly. Hank's latest one-man play invites the audience to rediscover the beginnings of these glorious times when intelligent people asked each other: What time is it when one Model T crosses in front of another? Answer: Tin past tin. (Performed spring and summer)

THOMAS EDISON

ALMOST, MR. EDISON, ALMOST

Born before the California gold rush and dying during the Great Depression, Thomas Alva Edison helped make America a world power, not with weapons but with insights into how all things work and how things can be made to work better. He became the poster child of what America is supposed to be: a land of infinite opportunity. He was a dreamer. Under his watch, possibilities blossomed into realities. His inventions include the fluoroscope, the alkaline storage battery, the phonograph, the motion picture camera, the megaphone, the microphone, the cement house, the improved telephone, and the electric light system. Edison wasn't afraid of the dark; he just brought it to light. Hank will mold the performance to fit your unique need. (Performed all year round)

RICHARD CROWLEY

Prosecutor at the Susan B. Anthony trial

Imagine yourself at Susan B. Anthony 1873 trial. Mr. Crowley has been assigned to stifle the woman's right to vote movement. Be careful if you have already decided to condemn him. If you had been there, maybe your thoughts would be different. In this workshop/performance Susan B. Anthony's ideals will be tested. Keep in mind...

1873 was another difficult year in American History. The country was still recovering from the Civil War, freed slaves had rights but no place to go, President Grant's government seemed corrupt, ex-vets were demanding special post-war accommodations, quality jobs were scarce, and now women were demanding the right to vote. Hadn't the country been tested enough?

Women had never voted before. Our system of government was designed after the Greek's and the Roman's. Our forefathers never intended women to vote. Let's go further. Women's suffrage seemed to threaten the American home and the nation itself. Where in the Constitution does it say women are vote-deserving citizens?

Using sound nineteenth century logic, Prosecutor Crowley will reason with the audience and demand that Susan B. Anthony be punished. Amendments may be called for eventually, but for now women need to return to hearth and home. Drastic change might destroy the Union and our understanding of family. In this participatory performance, the audience must decide for itself whether universal suffrage will help or harm this country in eternal transition.

49er J. G. BRUFF

A POCKETFUL OF ROCKS

An 1849 Argonaut and a modern dad travel The California Trail together, looking for gold and self-understanding. With the help of historical slides, period paintings, and contemporary photographs the true wealth of this country shines brighter than any metal. (Performed during spring and summer)

FRANCISCO PIZARRO

FRANCISCO PIZARRO, TO SERVE YOU

The conqueror of the Incas was brave, committed, and ruthless. His search for gold cities reminds us of the best and worst of ourselves. His 450 year old legacy provokes us to ask how we will be remembered, or as the modest museum janitor in the play says, "The history you get is determined by the questions you ask." (Performed in late fall and winter)