Libraries throughout Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties will kick off southeastern Wisconsin’s fifth annual Big Read literacy project next week.
Wisconsin native Thornton Wilder is the focus of the “Our Voices, Our Town” Big Read event.
Led by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Young Auditorium and 12 area libraries, the Big Read will provide a host of events related to Wilder’s novel “Bridge of San Luis Rey” and play “Our Town.”
“The theme will open a community dialogue across our rural region of southeastern Wisconsin,” said Ben Strand, Development Director/ Assistant Director, Young Auditorium. “We invite you to share your own thoughts and views as to how you define Your Town by visiting the Big Read website, www.ourvoicesourtown.com.”
The effort was awarded a grant of $15,000 by The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Last year’s Big Read reached 2,351 children and 3,013 adults at more than 70 events, according to Strand.
Kick-off set for April 1
A Big Read kick-off celebration is set for Monday, April 1 at the UW-Whitewater Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater.
The event will feature free children’s art and activities, punch and treats in the lobby at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by the barbershop quartet, the Country Gentlemen.
There will be a free raffle for books and Young Auditorium tickets. Attendees can also help build a Lego building for a “mini Our Town.”
At 7 p.m., Wisconsin Public Television will premiere a special free screening of the new Whitewater episode of the hit public television program “Around the Corner With John McGivern.”
Local “celebrities” who are featured in the show will be on hand, as McGivern gives the community and campus a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the Whitewater episode.
McGivern will then begin rehearsals with UW-Whitewater students for an upcoming production of Wilder’s “Our Town.”
Now in its second season, “Around the Corner With John McGivern” expands its view to communities across Wisconsin.
The broadcast premiere of the Whitewater episode airs at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4 on local MPTV channels.
Big Read 2013 highlights
No Foolin’ A Free Book!
All public library partners will kick off the Big Read on Monday, April 1 by offering book giveaways, Thornton Wilder reader’s guides and audio guides, as well as opportunities to win tickets to the Young Auditorium’s performance of “Our Town” starring John McGivern.
Thornton Wilder: A Life Luncheon
The Geneva Lake Branch of the American Association of University Women and the Walworth County Arts Council will host a luncheon event at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18 at Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St. in Delavan. The event will feature Tappan Wilder, nephew and literary executor for Thornton Wilder and Wilder biographer Penelope Niven. The cost is $20, which includes lunch. Advanced reservations are required by April 11.
Thornton Wilder: A Life Evening Talk
Tappan Wilder and Penelope Niven will host an evening talk at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at the Janesville Performing Arts Center, 408 S. Main St., Janesville
Wilder and Niven will discuss the legacy of Thornton Wilder – a son, brother, student, soldier, teacher, novelist, playwright, lecturer, actor, musician, man of letters and international public figure. A very private man, he possessed a remarkable gift for friendship, and Niven will offer portraits of friends he made as he traveled the globe.
Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”
The UW-Whitewater Young Auditorium will present Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21 and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play will feature Emmy Award-winning actor John McGivern in the role of the Stage Manager.
The production is led by the UW-Whitewater Theatre/Dance Department and directed by professor James Butchart.
“Our Town” explores the traditional, rural American community through the budding romance of Emily Webb and George Gibb.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first staged production of “Our Town” in 1938, according to the Thornton Wilder Society.
“Our Town” opened on Broadway on Feb. 4 that year and later that spring, the play brought Wilder his second Pulitzer Prize.
Seventy five years later, “Our Town” is still considered one of the great American plays, and not a night goes by that it is not performed somewhere in the United States or Canada.
Tickets are $17-19. For more information, call (262) 472-2222 or visit www.uww.edu/youngauditoirum.
An “Our Town” pre-performance luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. Tickets are $14 and must be purchased by April 12.
The menu will feature Sunday’s Best Beef Pot Roast with carrots and onion.
“Our Town” cast and crew reception
Attendees will get a chance to meet John McGivern and the “Our Town” cast and crew during a special reception at 4:30 p.m. following the performance on Sunday, April 21 at the Williams Center/Kachel Fieldhouse.
Proceeds will benefit the Young Auditorium and UW-Whitewater, Theatre/Dance Department Endowments.
Each $25 ticket includes a $15 tax-deductible gift.
For the latest Big Read events, visit hwww.ourvoicesourtown.com.
