Ruskin Productions
presents
To Begin the World
Over Again
The Life of Thomas Paine
Credits
Produced by
Written by
Narrator
Thomas Paine
Directed by
Costume Design
Costumiere
Wigmaker
Prop Master
Original Music
Ian Ruskin
June Stoddard
Ian Ruskin
Elliott Gould
Ian Ruskin
Shanga Parker
Sarah Nash Gates
Deborah Skorstad
Joyce Degenfelder
June Stoddard
Joe Romano
The play runs approximately 75 minutes without an intermission.
Special Thanks
The James Hervey Johnson
Charitable Educational Trust
The Thomas Paine Society
Philip Crawford & Nancy Achorn
The Thomas Paine National
Historical Association
Marcus Widenor
Ed Smith
Nancy Powers
Harvey Schwartz
The Thomas Paine Society, UK
Our Invaluable Scholars
Marc Belissa – Historian de la Revolution francaise, Université of Paris – Nanterre
Gary Berton - President, Thomas Paine National Historical Association
Jack Fruchtman, Jr. - Professor of Political Science, Towson University
Edward Gray - Professor of History Florida State University
Harvey J. Kaye - Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Gary B. Nash - Director National Center for History in the Schools at UCLA and Professor of History
Thomas Paine Quotes
“The cause of America is, in a great measure, the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances have, and will Arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which principles of all lovers of mankind are affected, and in the event of which, their affections are interested.”
From his book Common Sense
Philadelphia, February 14th, 1776
“My motive and object in all my political works… have been to rescue man from tyranny and false systems and false principles of government, and enable him to be free.”
From his book The Rights of Man
London 1791
“Convinced that the cause of France is the cause of all mankind and that liberty cannot be purchased with a wish, I gladly share with you the dangers and honors necessary to success.”
Addressed to the citizens of France on accepting his appointment to the French National Assembly, September 25th, 1792
Ian Ruskin
In Los Angeles, his work has ranged from Murder She Wrote to the acclaimed one-man play The Man Himself, and he has also done extensive voice work in radio and over 100 films and television programs.
He has performed his three plays a total of over 500 times across America and in Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and France. Live performances of his Bridges and Paine plays were filmed by legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler and have aired on PBS for multiple years. He is excited to be telling Paine’s story as we approach America’s 250th Birthday!
Other Productions
From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks, about visionary labor leader, Harry Bridges, has been performed over 400 times including at union conventions, universities, community colleges and for the English and Scottish Parliaments. The film version has aired on PBS and is available for purchase online.
Magic and Lightning: into the Mind of Nikola Tesla, his newest play, is about one of history’s greatest and most unique geniuses. First performances included The American Philosophical Society, Theatre West in Los Angeles and the Greenville, South Carolina Chautauqua Festival. Plans to film a live performance are underway...