"The rhythms are familiar on the page to most Hoosiers, but there's nothing like hearing the beloved James Whitcomb Riley verse, full of dialect and cadence, out loud. Especially if you're hearing it from the lips of Danny Russel, Riley impersonator extraordinaire. After more than a decade of playing the famous Hoosier scribe, Russel's got the poems (and their poet) down pat."
David E. Sumner, Indianapolis Monthly Magazine
"Danny's boisterous performance was amazing. The humor, energy and enthusiasm he puts into his young James Whitcomb Riley is matched only by the knowledge he possesses on the subject. We had a packed house, and Danny made sure everyone went home happy...and dare I say it...a little smarter. He equaled his performance by spending two hours at the reception afterwards answering questions. I highly recommend him and I haven't even seen his Lincoln yet!"
Ben Badgley, Executive Director, Henry County Historical Society
"Transforming himself into the Hoosier Poet, celebrating his literary contributions, combining poetry recitation with a bit of history -- it's the perfect portrayal of the young Riley."
Denise Greer, Editor, BSU Alumnus Magazine
"You truly inspired students and adults, and I learned more about Riley by listening to you than I had in all of my history classes. Kids never talk about any Social Studies lessons, but my students are still talking about your performance. They were enthralled and we can't wait to see you again!"
Laura E. Bandos, Pine Tree Elementary
"Ideal entertainment, sentimental and humorous...Russel celebrates the child in us all, and he is able to adapt his amusing performance for any age group and any audience."
Ron Hamilton, Shelbyville News
"A gratifying and memorable one-man act...unlike many impersonators, who depict Riley in his older years, Russel performs as the poet in his younger days when he was traveling the countryside painting signs and performing at medicine shows."
Bill McCleery, Indianapolis Star
"Thanks for sharing your Riley expertise with our children. They loved it and you're a perfect addition to our Famous Hoosiers study line!"
Joyce Litten, Shamrock Springs Elementary School
"Danny Russel's performance is educational, fun and entertaining...I learned more about James Whitcomb Riley than I ever knew before. When he was finished, I felt like I knew Riley personally. He simply takes my breath away with his recitative style."
Candace Miller, Grover Museum Director, Shelby County Historical Society
"Russel recited some of the poet's best works and even worked some Hoosier history into his humorous presentation."
Derek R. Smith, Greenfield Daily Reporter
"Thanks a million for coming to our Christmas party. You are a wonderful actor and made the poetry come alive!"
Maxine Jones, Church at the Crossing
"It was wonderful to have you come to our school and present Riley's life in a theatrical way."
Rebecca McPherson, Monrovia Elementary School
"The students very much enjoyed your presentation and they now want to learn more about Riley. How exciting!"
Carole Andre, Sullivan Elementary School
"Perfect for 4th Grade Indiana Standards. You're wonderful!"
Joan Furey, Ossian Elementary
"Adults and children alike were fascinated by Russel's portrayal."
Cindy Dowty, Newton County Enterprise
"You are truly gifted and we all learned so much."
Michelle Ball, Pierceton Elementary School
"Our crowd at the High Point Orchard Festival was thoroughly entertained and we had lots of positive feedback!"
Kathy Verseman, Assistant Station Manager, WTRE Radio
"You are such a kind, funny and personable man."
Jody Thomas, Cowan Elementary School
"Russel's performance is both entertaining and informative, and he gently encourages children to read and write as a result."
Christy Hatfield, Rensselaer Republican News
"The children just chimed right in during your presentation of 'Little Orphant Annie'...good entertainment and a wonderful history lesson in less than an hour."
Anita Risner, Principal, St. Augustine School
"You shared some precious poems with us and we were very impressed."
Stacy Johnson, South Grove Intermediate School
"We are always grateful for your presentation. You are consistently wonderful!"
Michele Reid, 4th Grade Teacher, Lowell Elementary School
"A great time! We so enjoyed J.W. Riley!"
Brenda Bertsch, Morristown Manor
"We were enthralled! What a fantastic experience for our students. Superb!"
Elise Kilty, IPS #34
"The kids responded so well to Mr. Riley."
Michael Calabrese, Mohawk Trails Elementary
"A terrific experience!"
Faith Harlan, Oakland Elementary
"So enjoyable...You gave us insight into the young Riley."
Sandy Trosper, President, St. Luke's Elderberries
"Great character for our kids."
Ann Wisener, Union Elementary
"An enjoyable, wonderful presentation. Thank you again, Danny, for the surprise you provided at our anniversary party."
Heather Bischoff, Senior Services Coordinator, Green Park Terrace
"Very impressive. Great!"
Taffy Schroer, Clifty Creek Elementary
"Entertainment of your type is just what my residents love. You offer such a great portrayal of James Whitcomb Riley."
Debbie Wade, Activities Director, Fall Creek Retirement Village
"Many of our children commented on your great interactive performance and those magnificent poems. Your skill, expertise and dedication made our Canal Pioneer Festival a big success and memorable experience for our 4th graders!"
Sandy Cox, Delphi Community Elementary School
"Our residents are still talking about your presentation and how much they enjoyed it!"
Connie Cameron, Colonial Assisted Living
"Students gained insight into a famous Hoosier."
Ken Hartman, Frankfort Times
"I've got a guy for you! He's very animated and the kids loved it. I would recommend him anywhere."
Amy Smith, Clinton Central Elementary
"Your presentation is so good, our kids were mesmerized."
Mary K. Dwyer, Lydia Middleton Elementary
"Thank you for sharing your talent with us. The residents really enjoyed it."
Ember Neal, Williamsburg Health Care
"You bring a sweetness, earnestness, and gentle power to your historical characters...Those same qualities serve you well as an actor."
Dan Shockley, Director of Interpretation, Indiana Historical Society
"You were fantastic! Our teachers and students learned so much about James Whitcomb Riley!"
Suzette Randall, Principal, Kokomo Christian School
Bill Dichtl, Chair of the Ohio County Historical Society, wrote: "Your program captured Abraham Lincoln as I had imagined him to be like if I had seen him in person. Your timing for Lincoln's humor was great. I also appreciate that you took a great deal of time engaging the visitors and answering questions. You are definitely on the list to be called again."
Robert Armao, U.S. History Teacher at Lutheran High School, wrote: "Lincoln was such a valued personality in our nation's history that his message still rings through. I greatly appreciated your coverage in a wide variety of roles - his war years, as emancipator, and much more...When an actor gets into character, they have to sell that personality and you did just that. There were times when I felt that I was listening to our 16th President himself, and for that, I am very grateful. It is essential that people such as yourself carry this on for future generations."
Andrea Neal, Instructor at St. Richard's Episcopal School, wrote: "Perfect for middle school...if you love all things Lincoln and a good storyteller, you'll enjoy Danny Russel. His emotions were on target and his timing excellent."
Gretchen Becker said in her Indianapolis Star article: "A rewarding program...taught students about Lincoln's anti-slavery beliefs and his belief in the importance of religion. Carrying a Bible, feather pen and the famous Gettysburg Address, Russel also talked about the deaths of the former President's mother, sister and children, the elections he faced, the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation."
After my appearance at Carmelfest's Civil War Encampment, Tom Rumer, Historian for the Carmel Clay Historical Society, wrote: "Count your Lincoln appearance a success by all standards. And your role was so fortuitous...Consider yourself our resident Lincoln!"
Courtney Flynn, in her article for the Grant County Chronicle-Tribune, wrote: "As the students sat wide-eyed and attentive listening to the tall man with a beard, extra-tall black hat and suit to match, the resemblance between the real Abraham Lincoln and his impersonator, Danny Russel, was uncanny...In between highlighting the major historical moments in Lincoln's life, Russel also gave the students life lessons about the importance of reading, honesty and integrity."
In her review for Nuvo Weekly, Rita Kohn wrote: "Danny Russel portrays Lincoln as a man not easily ruffled, interjecting humor to ease a potentially acrimonious moment and always alert to the political implications of misspeaking."
Steven G. Waltz, Scoutmaster of Troop 467, commented: "Funny and inspiring, especially when you recounted Lincoln's boyhood experiences and what he had to overcome while growing up in Indiana."
Jennifer Mulvaney of Brooks School Elementary wrote: "Whether it's for a statehood unit, a pioneer unit or a Civil War unit, Danny's Abe Lincoln covers the gamut and keeps you interested and focused."
In his article in the Connersville News-Examiner, Darrell Smith said: "This fine actor portrays Lincoln through his Christian faith, love of scripture and wicked sense of humor."
Adrienne Reiswerg, from Key Learning Community, exclaimed: "Your show contains something for everyone. I was hanging on every word! Not only were you accessible to the kids, but you also provided so much great background material to their many questions."
Jayne Harwood, Activities Director at Mill Pond Health Campus, said: "The residents were mesmerized...you could've heard a pin drop when Mr. Lincoln delivered the most famous and inspiring words ever recorded."
David McDaniel, Performing Arts Coordinator for the Indiana State Museum, commented: "A marvelous job from a first-rate actor."
Janet Pfadt of Fox Hill Elementary School told the Indianapolis Star: "You'll love to have Abe come and visit! Meet the 16th President and learn things you never knew!"
Bonnie Glass, Life Enrichment Coordinator of Brookdale Place at Willow Lake, wrote: "Thank you for making the night special. Our residents were enthralled with your performance."
Miriam Lash of the Rockville Women's Club wrote: "Your presentation was such a hit. It was the best program we ever had!"
Chris Young, Resident Program Director at Bethany Pointe, said: "Abraham Lincoln impersonator extraordinaire. Our residents absolutely love him."
Bob Hunt of the Creative Arts and Events Center in Greenfield wrote: "We really appreciated your appearance and heard from several people how much they enjoyed it."
Jaime Errett, Director of Residential Programming at Forest Glen Health Campus, said: "Our residents thoroughly enjoyed meeting Mr. Lincoln. Now I understand why he made it onto the $5 bill!"
Aaron Pennock, Publisher of Tipton County Argus, wrote: "You did an amazing job and I look forward to your return to Tipton schools."
Nancy Childs, Chairperson of the Carmel Clay Historical Society, said: "Your presentation was so interesting, informative and very entertaining. You're a delight!"
Mary Bogan, from Beech Grove Senior Center, said: "It is such a pleasure to watch you work."
Cathy Harvey of the Fayette County Republican Party said: "A highly impressive show!"
Vickie Boling of the Shelbyville Fun Bunch said: "Thank you for sharing your abundant talent with our group."
Mary Ann O'Neal, Principal of Brumfield Elementary said: "You were great! The kids loved you."
Margaret Shupe, Mount Ayr, Indiana Projects Committee said: "Such an honor and a pleasure, as usual, to host you at our annual Arbor Day festival. You touch people's souls and leave lasting memories. In fact, everyone said you were great and I did not hear one negative comment!"
Judith Bricker from Cold Springs School wrote: "Wow! Your Lincoln is very interesting as well as quite an entertainer."
George Eastman, Admissions and Marketing Director for Indiana Masonic Home, wrote: "Your powerful delivery of the Gettysburg Address in the midst of our Civil War encampment delivered a good crowd!"
Sarah Awe, 4th Grade Teacher at Prairie Trace Elementary wrote: "The students learned so much! You did a great job and made it very memorable."
Helen Packham from the Noblesville Senior Center commented: "One of the best presentations I've ever seen...highest recommendation!"
Jody Willis, Activities Director at Springhurst Health Campus, said: "The size of our crowd shows just how well they respond to your type of entertainment."
Sharon Swingly, Activities Director at Franklin United Methodist Community, said: "First you served as the Royal Grand Marshall in our parade, and then the residents couldn't stop raving about such a beautiful and proper program."
Anne Fagan, 4th Grade Teacher at Sweetser Elementary wrote: "Awesome! You did such a great job and the kids really believed it was Lincoln...how cool! It fit into our Indiana History wonderfully. We need to have you back each year!"
Sheri Ballard, Assistant Director of PrimeLife Enrichment Center, wrote: "Your presentation was so impressive that we want you back!"
Chris Nowaczyk, President of the Bass Lake Festival Association, wrote: "Thank you so very much for coming to our festival -- your appearance and knowledge was enjoyed by all."
Katelyn Coyne, Nuvo Weekly, wrote: "An interesting snapshot of the 16th President, well researched and well written...With many a heartfelt moment, Russel offers a thoughtful look at this historic figure."
Elizabeth Van Sickle, Director of Recreation and Leisure for Indianapolis Senior Center, wrote: "You enhance the lives of our older adults. Our event was a huge success thanks to your talented presentation."
Amy Wortinger, Greenwood Home Educators, wrote: "I have received many comments from parents and kids alike on how much they enjoyed your portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, my favorite historical figure. You did a great job of showing both of his desires -- a right heart and an earnest desire to serve God and country."
