A one-man play about this great Eastern Kentuckian deserves a wider audience | Lexington Herald Leader
“To fight for the right, without question or pause, to be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause” is a lyric from “The Impossible Dream.” Few people today make such a commitment. Yet, one who did lives in Prestonsburg: John Rosenberg.
Rosenberg’s story of his quest to “fight for the right” is acted out intelligently by Jeff Sherr in his one-man play, “Stumbling Stones.” It opens with the experiences and values that molded Rosenberg into a powerful force for change in Kentucky’s Appalachia – a change that was at the forefront of the legal battles over Kentucky’s broad form deed that treated Eastern Kentucky as a colony ruled by a Coal Combine of aloof landlords. It gave them the right to remove “by any means necessary” minerals below the ground’s surface. To them, “black coal,” was more important than people’s welfare.
Because “Stumbling Stones” transforms Rosenberg’s local fight against the Broad Form Deed into a nationwide theme-the individual against an unjust machine-and because Sherr’s performance is compelling, its moral urgency will grab audiences far beyond Appalachia by the lapels. This play demands staging in academic venues like UK’s Singletary Center to maximize its educational and civic impact.
James Kurz, Lexington
Appalachian Center for the Arts
We had a truly wonderful evening of history and storytelling last night! Thank you to Jeff Sherr for bringing this story to life and to John and Jean Rosenberg for joining us, offering a talk back and just being the amazingly wonderful humans that you are. Be on the lookout for Stumbling Stones popping up at other venues around Kentucky in the future. You won’t want to miss it!
AppalRed Legal Aid
What an incredible evening seeing Stumbling Stones: The John Rosenberg Story.
The play uses visceral imagery to weave together the strands of John’s life. The juxtaposition of Kristallnacht with the impact of the Broad Form deed in eastern Kentucky was powerful. It’s incredibly moving and funny too—just wait for that marriage proposal! It was wonderful to be surrounded by people who love John and Jean and also share their love of community and commitment to justice.
Rhonda Hall Kretzer
The performance last night was amazing. Both the story and the telling of it deserve high praise. It’s hard to imagine one man with minimal props could hold an audience captive for 80 minutes but Mr. Sherr did.
Kim Hall
Last night’s show was amazing. The show was thoughtful, easy to follow, and at times tear jerking. It’s amazing that a man so blessed to even make it out of Germany during the Holocaust could have a life that seems like a fairytale of good deeds, love, and civil service. Knowing John and Jean is a good step in learning how to live right in a world that is sometimes hard to understand. Great experience and would definitely recommend hearing this story through the performance.
Elizabeth Flint Fitch
Stumbling Stones is a moving, hopeful, and beautifully told story of courage, love, and justice. John and Jean Rosenberg’s partnership and lifelong fight for what’s right truly inspired me—it’s a reminder that change begins with compassion and perseverance, one stone at a time.
Charly Grace
If you are seeking a blueprint to navigate your life in this chaotic world with calm, purposeful meaning, I assure you that this beautifully written and performed play will restore your faith in humanity.
Charlotte Stone
The play was amazing with such an uplifting story about Mr Rosenberg’s life and accomplishments, it truly captured the essence of his legacy and left me inspired, I loved every moment of it!
Ella Jane Davenport
I wasn’t quite sure how a one person play could possibly betray the life of such a remarkable human man in 80 minutes! Needless to say, Jeff Sherr was remarkable in doing just that. It was the most realistic, heartfelt and captivating presentation that you will definitely realize that the hero that is living among us in indeed John Rosenberg.
Darius Fatemi
So glad we were able to catch this. Giving someone tears and hope at the same time is no easy task.
Cara Lyon Hall
It was an amazing performance telling the story of an amazing life. We were honored to be there.
Charlotte Soder
The play was extraordinary, and the man about whom it is truly amazing.
Bonnie Baker Hale
We enjoyed so much—
the performance of life story that touches so many lives!
