Rod Strunk (at left) with Julie Kahle and Ron Hildebrand in Stockton College’s production of “The Night of January 16.” (Stockton Record photo)
Roger Strunk, billed as Rod Strunk (perhaps for the first time), appeared in the key role as the gangster Larry “Guts” Regan in the Stockton College drama department’s production of Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16th” which was presented at the college’s Ringside Theatre on successive Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in 1958 – February 27, 28 and March 1, and March 6, 7 and 8.
The play was the second at Stockton College in which he appeared, having previously taken on “a major supporting role” in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” during the Fall 1957 term.
The production was promoted with articles in the local Stockton Record and Roger’s hometown Tracy Press.
“Local boy” Rod Strunk gets a mention in the February 20, 1958, edition of his hometown Tracy Press, which also notes that he appeared in a production of “The Crucible” during “last term” (presumably in the Fall of 1957).Despite playing a major role in the play, Rod Strunk gets listed last among the cast members in “Night of January 16th” in this short piece in the Stockton Record’s February 24, 1958, edition.Rod Strunk (at left) with Julie Kahle and Ron Hildebrand in Stockton College’s production of “The Night of January 16.” The photograph and caption appeared in the February 28, 1958, edition of the Stockton Record.
