An Evening with James Whitcomb Riley - A New Play By Keith Miller

This show is sponsored by Jennifer Hershberger

Most Indiana natives have heard of James Whitcomb Riley. His poems have remained part of early childhood reading classes for decades. But how did this Hoosier poet go from passing a hat after his lectures in little towns across Indiana, to sold out performances in Madison Square Garden in New York City? How did a scandal nearly end his literary career, before it had even begun? Why was Mark Twain so apprehensive about performing with Riley? You may know his name, but you don’t know his story. “An Evening with James Whitcomb Riley” is based on a real event that happened 132 years ago when Mark Twain and James Whitcomb Riley appeared at Madison Square Garden for a sold-out performance entitled A Night with the Gods. Imagine, long before social media, a simple country poet from Indiana was able to sell out Madison Square Garden. James Whitcomb Riley has contributed greatly to the fabric of society, from Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls to the adventures of Little Orphan Annie in both newspapers and radio, and most eventually the hit Broadway musical Annie. This new play explores how a simple country poet, born in Greenfield IN, became one of the best-selling authors of his time.

Following the LAB Series reading of the play, it will be presented by ATI in a fully staged production as a benefit for Riley Children’s Hospital Foundation and the James Whitcomb Riley House. The benefit performance will be held at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre at 7:00pm on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Tickets for the benefit performance will be available in late October.

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