8 episodes

A three-part audio drama podcast, adapted from the 1908 dystopian novel by Jack London, which he described as “socialist propaganda.” Set in a world in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of two young socialist lovers, Ernest and Avis Everhard. Anotonia Meredith, a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the IWW Songbook. Written/directed by Edward Einhorn and produced by Untitled Theater Company No. 61.
The Iron Heel “serves up food for thought with an appealing heart-on-sleeve warmth. You may well find yourself humming some of those tunes on the way out.” - The New York Times

The Iron Heel Edward Einhorn

    • Fiction
    • 4.8 • 17 Ratings

A three-part audio drama podcast, adapted from the 1908 dystopian novel by Jack London, which he described as “socialist propaganda.” Set in a world in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of two young socialist lovers, Ernest and Avis Everhard. Anotonia Meredith, a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the IWW Songbook. Written/directed by Edward Einhorn and produced by Untitled Theater Company No. 61.
The Iron Heel “serves up food for thought with an appealing heart-on-sleeve warmth. You may well find yourself humming some of those tunes on the way out.” - The New York Times

    Trailer - The Iron Heel, based on the book by Jack London

    Trailer - The Iron Heel, based on the book by Jack London

    A trailer for the three-part audio drama, based on the 1908 book by Jack London.  Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, produced by Untitled Theater Company No. 61.  Trailer sound designed and edited by Ian W. Hill with music and arrangements by Richard Philbin.  To be released in full on May 1, 2021 

    • 5 min
    The Iron Heel, Part 1: Romance

    The Iron Heel, Part 1: Romance

    Part One of our adaptation of Jack London's dystopian novel, the first modern book of that genre, written as a socialist propaganda piece in 1908.  Jack London envisions a world in his near future in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of Avis & Ernest Everhard (Tori Rulle and Mike Iveson Jr), two young socialist lovers. Antonia Meredith (Yvonne Roen), a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the Little Red Songbook.
    In Part One, Avis and Ernest meet, and Avis learns of the sad history behind the missing arm of a man named Jackson (Craig Anderson).  Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, with music arrangements by Richard Philbin and sound design by Ian W. Hill.
    This episode includes an interview with Dr. Erik Loomis, expert on the history of labor.

    • 40 min
    The Iron Heel, Part 2: Rhetoric

    The Iron Heel, Part 2: Rhetoric

    Part Two of our adaptation of Jack London's dystopian novel, the first modern book of that genre, written as a socialist propaganda piece in 1908.  Jack London envisions a world in his near future in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of two young socialist lovers, Avis & Ernest Everhard (Tori Rulle and Mike Iveson Jr). Antonia Meredith (Yvonne Roen), a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the Little Red Songbook.
    In Part Two, Ernest clashes with the owner of the local mill, Mr. Wickson (Trav SD), as they take opposite sides in a political campaign.  Meanwhile, Bishop Morehouse (Craig Anderson) and Avis's father (Joshua Wolf Coleman) are nearly brought to ruin by their concern for less fortunate. Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, with music arrangements by Richard Philbin and sound design by Ian W. Hill.
    This episode includes an interview with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Deborah Shaffer, director of The Wobblies.

    • 51 min
    The Iron Heel, Part 3: Revolution

    The Iron Heel, Part 3: Revolution

    Part Two of our adaptation of Jack London's dystopian novel, the first modern book of that genre, written as a socialist propaganda piece in 1908.  Jack London envisions a world in his near future in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of two young socialist lovers, Avis & Ernest Everhard (Tori Rulle and Mike Iveson Jr). Antonia Meredith (Yvonne Roen), a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the Little Red Songbook.
    In Part Three, the Oligarchy seizes power, and Avis and Ernest become revolutionaries. Joined by fellow revolutionaries such as the German immigrant, Biedenbach (Kevin Argus) and Garthwaite (Jason Harris), they face the chaos of conflict. Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, with music arrangements by Richard Philbin and sound design by Ian W. Hill.
    This episode includes an interview with Jack London biographer Jay Williams.

    • 52 min
    Supplemental: Eric Loomis Interview

    Supplemental: Eric Loomis Interview

    The full interview with Dr. Eric Loomis, expert on the history of the labor movement.  Author of A History of America in Ten Strikes, Empire of Timber: Labor Unions and the Pacific Northwest Forests, and Out of Sight: The Long and Disturbing Story of Corporations Outsourcing Catastrophe.

    • 28 min
    Supplemental: Deborah Shaffer interview

    Supplemental: Deborah Shaffer interview

    The full interview with Academy-Award winning filmmaker Deborah Shaffer, whose work includes the documentary The Wobblies.  During the 80’s Shaffer focused on human rights in Central America and Latin America, directing many films including Witness to War: Dr. Charlie Clements, which won the Academy Award for Short Documentary in 1985, and Fire From the Mountain and Dance of Hope, which both played at the Sundance Film Festival. Shaffer directed one of the first post-September 11 films, From the Ashes: 10 Artists followed by From the Ashes: Epilogue, which premiered at the Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals. She is also the Executive Producer of the Academy Award-nominated short Asylum, and has directed numerous acclaimed public television programs on women and the arts. She directed and produced To Be Heard, which won awards at numerous festivals and aired nationwide on PBS. She has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Irene Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award by the Human Rights Watch Film Festival.

    • 20 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
17 Ratings

17 Ratings

Madkingbob ,

Fantastic!

What a wonderful adaptation of Jack London's work! Stellar cast! Highly recommend!

JSM100000001 ,

Excellently fun

Storytelling with a rich aural landscape

IgnoraneIsStrength ,

Absolutely Worth Your Time

My wife and I saw this live and she was still singing the songs weeks later. It's excellent luck for us that it now appears in podcast form. It's an incredible take on Jack London's great work, done with real verve and creativity. It's a great way to enjoy musical theater while we wait for the pandemic to end.

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