The Stephen Crane House Presents: Cora & Stevie: Heaven & Hell

She was a business owner, war correspondent, world traveler, socialite, and scandal queen… an author, a “Madam,” and one of the most unforgettable American women of her day. But if you asked CORA TAYLOR CRANE what she’d like to be called, she’d prefer to be known as the common-law “wife” of Stephen Crane. On Sunday, November 7 — in honor of the 150th birthday of the world-famous writer who got his start in Asbury Park — the Stephen Crane House presents the premiere of CORA & STEVIE: HEAVEN AND HELL, a new one-woman show written by and starring MARJORIE CONN.

Produced by the Asbury Park Historical Society, and made possible in part by a grant from Monmouth Arts, “Cora & Stevie” will go up at 3:00 p.m., inside the house where young Crane composed his first short story, and began his career in earnest as a cub reporter for his brother Townley’s locally based news service. As the first theatrical offering to be hosted at the Crane
House since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event will observe precautionary measures for the safety of the audience, with attendees asked to show proof of vaccination (or recent negative test result) upon entry, and all guests asked to wear a mask while inside the performance space. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 20 people, and complimentary light refreshments will be served in the house’s reception area at the conclusion of each performance.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. for the 3:00 performance of “Cora & Stevie: Heaven and Hell.” Admission is with a suggested donation of $10 at the door, and attendees can reserve seating by calling 732-361-0189. Help us welcome the remarkable Cora Crane to Asbury Park, as we re-open our doors to public arts events — follow the Stephen Crane House on Facebook, or watch this space for more exciting happenings in the weeks and months to come, at the headquarters of the Asbury Park Historical Society.