Thomas Paine Visits Pasadena

Thomas Paine (Ian Ruskin) in Pasadena (Photo – June Stoddard)

Historical Theater Marks Countdown to America’s 250th Birthday.

By June Stoddard

Felicia and Michael Kelley welcomed Thomas Paine, brought to life by actor Ian Ruskin, to Throop Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday, September 14, in anticipation of the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026.

Arriving in full period costume, wig and all, Ruskin performed a condensed version of his one-man play, To Begin the World Over Again: The Life of Thomas Paine, before a packed audience eager to revisit the revolutionary thinker’s enduring legacy.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Ruskin researched, wrote, and earned the endorsement of Paine scholars for his script and portrayal. His Paine is a consummate, spiritual moralist and a brilliant propagandist, framing the American experiment in words that resonated with everyday people. If readers couldn’t read Common Sense, Paine made sure it was read to them.

Ruskin’s performance highlights Paine as a man of modest means who opposed slavery early on and believed in the inherent equality of all people. Through vivid storytelling, the play brings Paine’s radical and still-relevant ideas to life.

During a lively Q&A afterward, Ruskin emphasized that Paine did, in fact, change the world. He also discussed Ruskin Productions’ commitment to honoring Paine’s legacy as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Audience members were invited to contribute ideas and donate to the fundraiser supporting the play’s planned national tour, which aims to reach libraries, museums, historical societies, schools, universities, and community groups across the country.

Paine’s words continue to challenge and inspire Americans in the ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union. Many attendees expressed enthusiasm to see the full one-hour version of the play, which has been performed across the U.S. and in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, and broadcast on PBS.

June Stoddard is a writer and producer whose work has appeared in the Santa Monica Daily Press, The Santa Monica Mirror, Muleskinner Journal, Slow Lightning Lit, and Blue Sky Press.

Thomas Paine in Pasadena (Photo – June Stoddard)