What Folks Are Saying...
Gran'daddy Junebug's style is one which children in particular can respond to and which also, through the quiet morals of his stories, strengthens their self esteem with playful yet positive messages.
-- Alvin F. Poussaint, MD
Associate Professor of Psychology
Harvard Medical School
“There were more than five hundred of them, but instead of the predictable din, there was rapt silence as these youngsters, all six graders from Willingboro’s seven elementary schools sat in their seats yesterday morning mesmerized by something unexpectedly powerful”!
--Sally Friedman
Reporter, Burlington County Times
Willingboro, NJ
“I know a person as talented as you hears many compliments, however I just have to pass along two that I heard from our folks. A teacher came in and said, “That’s the best Cultural Arts Program we’ve ever had”. (We have several yearly and have had them for several years). Another teacher said one of the students just kept saying, “I love him, I love him . . . “! Thanks so much for sharing”!
--Nancy Hardy
Assistant Principal
A.V. Baucom School, Apex, NC
Mitch Capel, affectionately known as "Gran'daddy Junebug," brings Paul Laurence Dunbar to life and audiences to laughter and tears. I would rather experience his presentations than eat when I am hungry!
-- Mary Carter Smith
Co-Founder National Association of Black Storytellers
With competence and mastery, Mitch Capel connects the audience with Paul Laurence Dunbar by utilizing a demanding and commanding artistry...thus he evidences Dunbar!
-- Laverne Kenon Sci
Historic Site Manager
The Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial
Dear Mitch/ "Gran'daddy Junebug",
I just want to let you now what a TREMENDOUS and POSITIVE and POWERFUL impact you made on the Underwood kids (and all of us older kids) on October 24!!
Your magical and mesmerizing and fun way of spinning inspirational tales really do play the heartstrings. It feels good to know that there are skilled artists of the world such as you who have a unique ability to speak from and to the heart.
Keep spreading the magic...you are a gift!
Thank you on behalf of the entire Underwood community!
Susan Joyner
Cultural Arts Representative
Underwood Elementary School
Mitch Capel has been storytelling for quite some time...and the style of storytelling is a style that is classical and contemporary at the same time. It's a wonderful style, which has elements of the "Pied Piper" to it. His dress seems to imply something very special; but the thing that impressed me about this man's work is not the fact that he was using rhymed material, but it was the fact of his control over the material, that he is not parameterized by the rhyme, but in fact uses the rhyme as a spring board for an incredible experience of storytelling!
-- Ed Stivender
International Storyteller, National Storytelling Festival
Jonesboro, TN
This past weekend I was in no rush to see your performance…never heard of you. I walked in on your performance…found a seat and was not amused…the only prop on stage was a chair. Minute by minute my mind began to focus on your words, emotions and body movements with each word… and in between each recitation, candid personal stories…I was blown away!
Mr. Capel, you brought life not only to the stage, but the entire room. The way you spoke...speaking each word with natural ease as though they were your own spontaneous thoughts…oh, now I understand why it is important to learn a second language…there are not enough words in the English vocabulary to describe what you do when you perform! The people in the story…without you even describing… I could see the exact clothes they had on…and the tears rolling down their cheeks…and the old man telling the story…boy, it had to be you in another lifetime!
Njeri K.
Student, NC State
For Teachers
William Carney Brochure(pdf format)