The Real Education of TJ Crowley
Coming of Age on the Redline: An Audio Drama
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The Real Education of TJ Crowley
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About this listen
Set in 1968 after the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this immersive audio dramatization, inspired by the author’s own experiences, features an award-winning cast of 15 actors, in a fast-paced, suspenseful coming-of-age story.
With his father’s mysterious disappearance and his brother Ronnie enlisting in the Vietnam War, 13-year-old TJ Crowley is left alone with his racist, unstable mother, Kate. The newly enforced Fair Housing Act results in the unthinkable for the Crowleys when a Black family, headed by the eminent Dr. Washington, crosses the racial red line and moves in next door. Kate is quick to warn TJ that their new neighbors are strictly off-limits and makes a panicked call to beg Ray, her old flame, to travel to their home in Wichita Kansas to help deal with “the problem next door.”
At his now integrated junior high, TJ resents that teachers tell him he must get to know his Black classmates, yet he understands that staying out of trouble can only help assure him an all-important spot on the basketball team. At school, a violent confrontation with Leon, the tough new kid in 7th grade, lands them in the principal’s office. And at home, Ray ropes him into building a fence that will send the Washingtons a message that they’re not welcome.
But the fence can’t quiet the sounds of unfamiliar music floating over the fence nor hide the strength and beauty of his new classmate, Ivy Washington, who fiercely stands up for what she believes in.
Over time, TJ begins to question the lessons he’s learned at home and decides to accept Dr. Washington’s invitation to visit their family. Devastated when his poor grades and bad behavior keep him from the basketball team, TJ turns to the doctor, a former athlete, who coaches him for the track team, teaching him how to throw the shot put.
When TJ’s secret visits to the Washingtons are discovered, and a series of escalating hate crimes point to Ray, TJ is forced to make a defining choice that will forever change his life.
Performed by Dani Martineck, Dion Graham, Tavia Gilbert, Johnny Heller, Shayna Small, Michael Crouch, Kirby Heyborne, Ari Fliakos, Graham Halstead, Thérèse Plummer, Brittany Pressley, Peter Berkrot, John Wright and Sheila Brown Kinnard, playing the role inspired by her mother, Josephine Brown.
Grant Overstake, a storyteller and educator, draws from his background as a former Miami Herald sports writer and decathlon All-American to write authentic sports themed novels of raw emotion. Grant and his wife, Claire, sing in the multicultural ARISE Ensemble, who’s music is featured in this program.
An award-winning producer and director with over 400 titles to her credit, May Wuthrich is a former actor with a background in traditional book publishing and book-to-screen script development.
Presented by Grain Valley Publishing
©2018 Grant Overstake (P)2024 Grain Valley Publishing Company and May Wuthrich ProductionsCritic reviews
J. Donald & Bertha Coffin Memorial Book Award
AudioFile Earphones Award
“The gospel music of the ARISE Ensemble enhances the listening experience. The audio drama has moments of remarkable verisimilitude: from the play-by-play announcing of a basketball game to the whirring of a helicopter in Vietnam. Performed by a gifted cast, this slice of our history stays with the listener.” —AudioFile (Earphones Award winner)
What listeners say about The Real Education of TJ Crowley
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- Mary Frank
- 12-10-24
Raw and Persuasive
This superbly produced audio-theater adaptation of THE REAL EDUCATION OF TJ CROWLEY makes an important contribution to contemporary narratives about race in American life and echoes concerns we hold for how to raise boys in a violent world.
Featuring a gifted cast of diverse actors, several of which I’ll name below, and led by the extraordinary Dani Marrteneck as the sensitive, volatile TJ, the story is set during the tumult of the late 60s.
Violence exists everywhere for TJ: in the alcohol fueled bigotry of his disturbed mother (Tavia Gilbert) and her new partner, a member of the KKK out for revenge (Johnny Heller); in the war in Vietnam where TJ’s brother Ronnie (Michael Crouch) serves in the infantry; and at his newly integrated middle school where well-meaning attempts to facilitate understanding fail to address the extent of simmering tensions in the classroom. When conflict inevitably erupts between students, adults turn to corporal punishment to bring them into line. Fortunately, the sports program, led by Coach Gordon (Graham Halstead) offers a surer path to cooperation, as the ambition to excel and succeed on the playing field helps mold students of all kinds into a team.
There is incident aplenty in THE REAL EDUCATION OF TJ CROWLEY, but ultimately TJ's halting efforts to rein in his own propensity for violence propel the story forward. When a loving black family (Dion Graham as Dr. Washington, Shayna Small as his daughter, and Sheila Brown Kinnard as his wife) move into the house next door, TJ establishes a moral compass as he slowly figures out whether they are friend or foe.
What brings all these narrative threads to life, and situates them within a particular historical era is the soundscape created by a talented production team. The sounds of the 60s -- radio broadcasts, police sirens, gospel music by the Arise Ensemble -- all lend further depth to the wonderful performances of the actors. Although a satisfying ending in many respects, I continue to ask myself, what next for TJ Crowley.
Mary Ann Frank
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- claus pappenheimer
- 08-23-24
Outstanding production for all ages!!
This audio drama has gotten a lot of attention from AudioFile magazine -- an Earphones Award and a review by "Behind the Mic" podcast. And I understand why. The story, though set in 1968 and 69, has relevance for today's audience and is for all ages. It offers a look at a slice of American history, the redlining of neighborhoods meant to keep Blacks and whites separate but not equal. The authors expertly track several different storylines that come together in a wholly believable way. Although TJ's journey can feel like an edgy roller coaster ride, the story becomes one of hope and resilience. The excellent production values (including sound effects and gospel music) and the acting by a cast of 15 in dialogue with each other in mostly short scenes, showcases performances at the highest level.
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- Linda Avellar
- 09-20-24
Great Production on a Serious Topic
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Real Education of TJ Crowley." It was a wonderful listen. Although not the target audience, I found it very compelling and that it dealt honestly with the serious race issues we still have in this country.
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- Jeanne Hanover
- 09-19-24
Suspenseful drama, beautifully executed
I loved this story and recommended it to friends. Its not often you find a story this compelling that is also so masterfully told. This is a classic.
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- Anonymous User
- 09-15-24
The voices were so authentic
A terrific audio drama and absolutely wonderful listen. Beautifully executed in all ways. And suspenseful. I can't count the number of times my jaw dropped. A true artistic accomplishment. Kudos to all involved!
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-02-24
RESONATES FAR BEYOND ITS HISTORICAL SETTING
The REAL EDUCATION OF TJ CROWLEY: Coming of Age on the Red Line is a transformative audio drama that brilliantly captures a 13-year-old-boy's struggle to come to terms with changing personal and societal circumstances. With an exceptional full-cast performance, the drama transcends traditional storytelling, making historical struggles both intimate and immediate. As a sure-fire AudioBook Club read, it serves as a poignant reminder of how essential education and human connections are, especially during tumultuous times. Sure to spark meaningful conversations about equality, empathy, and social progress, it's a vital and relevant multi-generational listening experience for anyone, including families and students, that resonates far beyond its historical setting.
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- Amber Dekkers
- 07-23-24
Perfectly cast!
This touching coming of age story, taps every emotion of the human experience! Well written and exceptionally directed, TJ Crowley gives the audience a bird’s eye view of race relations in small town America in the 1960’s. Dani Martineck embodied TJ with an incredible balance of vulnerability and pre adolescent conviction. From the phenomenal performances of the all-star cast to the soulful music, this production deserves all the praise and accolades coming its way!
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- Marlaina Deppe
- 12-02-24
Potential for Drama Series
Don't skip the Introduction! It gave important context to the events of this time period (and beyond) and let me know that the characters were inspired by real people from the historical novel that Overstake wrote, and the production script is adapted from.
This suspenseful, fast-paced story about two families broken by very different personal losses, and performed as an audio drama, was one of the richest, and most engaging listening experiences I've had in a while. Fifteen amazing actors, well-chosen sound effects, and haunting gospel music complimented and amplified a complex and compelling story.
The diverse cast of characters captivated me. Each of them, beginning with TJ and Ivy, his new Black classmate and neighbor, face difficult choices in circumstances beyond their control. As disturbing as the story can be, I had to keep listening. How would TJ and others meet the challenges in front of them? Would TJ be redeemed? How far would the violence go? The surprise ending is a cliff hanger and could be an exciting set up for continuing the story. Is this the first of a drama series to come? I hope so! -- Marlaina Deppe
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