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Each week, WORDTheatre® shares a brilliant short story performed live in LA, NY or London by a great actor, usually with the author in the room to hear their story being brought to life. Like what you hear? Visit WORDTheatre.org/Membership/ or if you are near the UK, visit WORDTheatreUK.org to enjoy live events and recordings by becoming a Patron or Enthusiast Member! WORDTheatre® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the US and a Dual Charitable Trust in the UK. We are on a mission to make a better world one story at a time.
Greetings and welcome to WORDTheatre Weekly: The Short Story Podcast where great authors and actors meet! I’m your host, Cedering Fox, WORDTheatre’s Founder & Artistic Director.
Today’s story is “Cool Things” by Brian Doyle, a favorite WORDTheatre contributor, who was a November baby. Sadly, he left us way too soon, but we cherish his memory at WORDTheatre. Brian’s beautiful, life-affirming work is perfect for this time of year, as we pause to give thanks for all that is good in the world. It was performed live with Brian in the audience, by the marvelous Bruce Vilanch. Before we begin,
Please note that WORDTheatre holds the copyright to these recordings and no portion of anything you hear on WORDTheatre Weekly, our short story podcast, may be reproduced without permission.
Now, here’s Bruce Vilanch, bringing Brian Doyle’s “Cool Things” to life.
VILANCH PERFORMS THE STORY.
You have just heard “Cool Things” by Brian Doyle, performed by Bruce Vilanch, who was in tears by the end of his reading of this story, as was everyone in the audience.
If you find yourself in Los Angeles on March 19th of 2026, you can see Bruce Vilanch live as part of the cast of WORDTheatre’s “The Ocean: Our Liquid Universe”, in what will be an unforgettable benefit event. We debuted in England on August 3rd, and now we’re bringing this to Los Angeles, together with Ocean Rising. If you like what you’re hearing on WORDTheatre Weekly, please take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Tell your friends and family about us, and follow WORDTheatre on Instagram, Facebook and BlueSky. If you join as a WORDTheatre member, you’ll gain access to our rich archive of performances, and be supporting our work in schools.
And again, those of you in the LA area will be invited to our December 7th Swedish Smörgåsbord, an annual party for our members. For more information about all of this, visit WORDTheatre.org, or if you’re living in or near the UK, check out WORDTheatreuk.org. To all our American pals, Happy Thanksgiving. Until next week, this is Cedering Fox, signing off!