Dateline Jasoom: Joan Bledig on Princess play

In 2006, Joan Bledig and I traveled from Chicago to Minneapolis to see “A Princess of Mars” performed on stage by Hardcover Theater. This is our discussion of the play on the drive home. My friend of more than 25 years died Jan. 18, 2024. RIP, Joan – J the V.

Episode 24. Part Two of Hardcover Theater's 2006 stage production of “A Princess of Mars.” Written and directed by Steve Schroer. Jami Rassmussen as John Carter. Amber Swenson as Dejah Thoris. Jesse Ray as Tars Tarkas. Terri Elofson Bly as Sola.

Episode 23 Carl Sagan describes Barsoom in the Cosmos episode, “Blues for a Red Planet.” Part One of Hardcover Theater's 2006 stage production of “A Princess of Mars.” Written and directed by Steve Schroer. Jami Rassmussen as John Carter. Amber Swenson as Dejah Thoris. Jesse Ray as Tars Tarkas. Terri Elofson Bly as Sola.

Episode 8. Sound clips from “A Princess of Mars,” performed on the stage by Hardcover Theater in Minneapolis in 2006. Elmo reviews the play: “I've been to Barsoom. I was taken there in a little theater in Minneapolis.” Interviews with actors. “I thought it was very cool playing a superhero,” says Jami Rassmussen, who played John Carter. “I was never cast as a Martian before,” says Terri Elofson Bly, who played Sola. Several others of the cast are also interviewed. Jesse Ray on playing Tars Tarkas: “Tars Tarkas is very intrigued by this new creature.” “John Carter also sees a lot of himself in Tars Tarkas,” says Jami. Amber Swenson on playing Dejah Thoris: “This strong, heroic heroine. She's torn between two worlds. She has this need to be strong, but she also needs to be comforted.” Joan Bledig and Elmo discuss the play on the way home from the theater. “I think it was respectful and incredibly well done,” says Joan.