Mark Marano of Prospect Park is just as comfortable telling a story at a bench outside a Philadelphia historic landmark as he is performing in a musical at Upper Darby’s Summer Stage, writes Ruth Rovner for the Daily Times.

A professional actor, Marano has had varied experience in theater, including Summer Stage, and regional theaters in New Jersey, New York and elsewhere.

This summer he’s using his theatrical talents as a storyteller for “Once Upon a Nation.”

He narrates with enthusiasm and dramatic flair, using gestures and flourishes that animate his five minute presentation.

The Delco actor is one of a group of trained storytellers who are part of this free program, under the auspices of Historic Philadelphia, Inc., which brings colonial Philadelphia history to life with true stories.

Marano was interested as soon as he heard about the program.

“History has always been one of my favorite subjects,” Marano said. “And this involved acting. So, it sounded great.”

He’s had visitors from Delco, West Chester and from as far away as France, the UK and Singapore

For more information on all programs of Historic Philadelphia, Inc., visit historicphiladelphia.org or call 215-629-4026.

Read more about this historic storyteller here.

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