Ranger Jim

Three true tales, each one better than the last

Jim shared that he decided to tell these stories to emphasize the beauty and possibilities of our national parks and forests -- which are under threat on many fronts. For me, the stories remind us of our interconnectedness to one other. The power of nature to inspire awe is incredible but pales to the love in spirit that we hold for our dear families. Jim's telling of three experiences while a ranger at three different parks bring to light all of it. Superbly done. This one's a must-see!

This is Must See Theater and Storytelling

These are stories that will stick with you and have you talking about them late into the night. Jim is a fantastic craftsman in how he's curated these three stories and how he delivers/shares/and transports us into the world of our national parks. I would see this a second or third time. Just excellent work. Your only regret will be if you miss seeing Ranger Jim. It's just that good.

Traditional end to Fringe 2025: fine storytelling

We are bitter-enders (last show of 45 in 2025) and this was a fine end. Kudos for the storytelling chops. The stories were interesting, but seriously, not over-the-top interesting. Best of all, though, was the Jim served as a great role model for energy at his age!!

Wow in so many ways!

An exceptional storyteller, Jim will transport you to a spot and a moment in each of three national parks to enthrall you with a story that paints a visceral picture and evokes deep emotional connection to the folks he tells us about. A must!

Beautiful and harrowing and profound

Watching Ranger Jim feels like sitting at a family dinner, listening to your grandpa tell stories. Do they get a little topsy-turvy around the edges? Sure. Has he told them countless times before? Absolutely. But you can tell, from the glint in his eyes, that he knows they’re good ones. This is a Must-See show, according to PiPress critics: https://www.twincities.com/2025/08/02/fringe-review-storyteller-ranger-jim-finds-quiet-beauty-in-life-death-and-nature/

Incredible storyteller who knows what matters

I decided to go to this show based on the title, and I wasn’t disappointed. It feels just like you’re listening to your grandfather tell you a story in your parents’ living room. He teaches us that human imagination is more powerful than the visual, and he paints his true stories in such an emotionally powerful way that you can’t help but feel connected to him. Absolutely recommend, and thank you for the good message.

Incredible storyteller, mixed bag of stories

First story had me on the edge of my seat, second story went off on a tangent (in my opinion) about losing dignity in old age, and third story seemed to drag. None of these were bad per se, but the dramatic mood shift in the middle followed by a much longer, sort of repetitive story was an odd choice.

Wow! Wowed in Three Acts.

Ranger Jim's stories were very moving. ACT I: As a professional stagehand and a storyteller, I really enjoyed the first story about not needing all "that stuff", but inviting people to use their imagination instead. It was delightful that Ranger Jim reenacted that memory with the current audience. ACT II: Death at the Boat Launch - My favorite parts were the beginning, how Jim was affected by his own father's death, and the affirmation that the most important thing was the connection of the father and son in the park. The being saved from other aspects of becoming old was a tangent that I did not need. ACT III: Climbing to New Heights: As a person with an often invisible disability, I especially appreciated that Ranger Jim did not interfere or disallow a person with a disability and his family from attempting something seemingly impossible. He let them make their carefully planned attempts every single step along the way. That is the way it should be. Having a disability should not interfere with making choices for oneself. Thank you.

Return of One of the Greats

Jim Stowell is one of the very best storytellers whom we are lucky to have had in Minnesota over the last several decades. In this show, we are treated to a trio of stories inspired by his time as a park ranger in three national parks. Funny, sad, heroic --- these stories cover the all the bases. Highly recommended.

Fantastic!

Wonderful stories shared with humor and heart! Brought me to tears!

Tears and laughter

I experienced tears and laughter in the immersive storytelling. Memories came to mind of my own experiences in the National Parks and also trauma and survival. A must see and experience. I can't come up with enough words of praise for the talent and skill of this extraordinary storyteller.

Standing ovation!

Jim Stowell is a superb actor/writer/storyteller who shapes a powerful and emotionally gripping performance from highlights of his career as a National Park ranger. He fully inhabits the challenging space of the Kilburn Theater stage, using his voice and movements to propel the story and to invoke laughter, tears, and awe from the audience. Jim is one of the most amazing storytellers I’ve ever heard. His opening night show brought us to feet at the end. Don’t miss “Ranger Jim!”

Good message, inconsistent execution

Ranger Jim brings forth an important message now more than ever, that we NEED to save our national parks. He does so by telling three stories of important interactions he had while working at the park, and how they affected himself and the people visiting them. The first two stories kept me thoroughly engaged, and though I recognize the heartwarming nature of the third story, I failed to stay engaged the entire time. If my internal clock was correct, the third story takes up the entire second half of the show, and the middle of the story about the climb (if you know you know) quickly fell short on me as it just seemed to drag and restate the same point multiple times. That being said Jim himself is very charismatic and heartwarming, and he is fighting a very good fight against our current administration and their want to remove our national parks, and he should be recognized for that.

If we're goon tomorrow, then be with family today

Jim eases us into his 3-part hour with an old closing act about his update to an old nursery rhyme, introducing us to his larger-than-life campfire emcee storytelling style. What next but to persuade the deceased about how mortality is better spent as a last gasp with a loved one rather than in buildings meant to protract humiliation at the end of your life. But we close with a story about a family who, with determination and rehearsed persistence, overcome the unthinkable in order to enjoy a view of a lake together. These three acts were told with vigor, detail, animation from Ranger Jim. In these parks, there are precious moments shared by families and strangers far away from commerce and suburbs that we'd be better off learning to cherish well.

WOW!

Jim is an expert teller, and the stories he chooses to tell in this will move you to your core. From listening to a gruff old man retelling Little Bunny Foo Foo, to watching a disabled person climb a spiral staircase, to holding a heart attack victim as he takes his last breath, Jim will enthrall you and probably make you weep as I did. Go see it!

Amazing stories!

Superb storyteller. Amazing stories. A wonderful, gripping experience. Put "Ranger Jim" at the top of your to-see list. Our national parks are under attack, so this is a performance for our times.

I enjoyed this show very much.

It is apparent that Ranger Jim has more than a few passions. Luckily for us, one is storytelling and the other is our country's vast network of national parks. He shares wonderful, heartfelt stories and reminds us that we need to fight to keep our parks.