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Unique Production Brings
Fahrenheit 451 to the Ritz Theatre Stage
in the Golden Isles
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Golden Isles, GA: Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association (GIAHA) is excited to
present a unique multimedia production to open its 2007-2008 Performing
Arts Series. Based on Ray Bradbury’s chillingly prophetic 1953
novel, Fahrenheit 451 on Stage will be presented at the Ritz Theatre,
September 28-29 at 8:00 p.m., not only as the season opener but as a
fascinating and entertaining addition to The Big Read, a month-long
program of events centered around Bradbury’s classic book.
Fahrenheit 451 on Stage is a new and exciting way to encounter this
gripping story of a world in which books are burned while the public
sits by in a media-numbed daze. The words are all Bradbury’s, but
the presentation offers a multi-level experience combining staged
reading, theater, music and video to amplify and illuminate the
author’s timeless themes. The text has been adapted by GIAHA
Production Director Rob Nixon for a cast of actor/readers including
Heather Heath, Dan Bollinger, Bryan Thompson, Carol Hoffine, Lynda
Gallagher, Leah Simpson, and Kathleen Martin.
“It’s not a traditional play but more than just a simple staged
reading,” explains Nixon, who directs the production and compiled the
video segments that will interweave through the story on the new big
screen at the Ritz. “The actors will read Bradbury’s narrative
and perform all the characters. We’ve commissioned an original
score from composer Dan Nettles, whose ensemble, Kenosha Kid, will
perform the music live during the production. And video segments
will not only illustrate the dominance of electronic media in our world
today but also offer audiences a chance to see key passages from the
book, which is after all what The Big Read is all about.”
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership
with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, The
Big Read is designed to encourage literary reading by having everyone
in a single community read the same book. GIAHA chose this book
because its themes and story are so relevant not only to the mission of
the initiative but to the world we live in today, amazingly predicted
by Bradbury more than 50 years ago.
“Fahrenheit 451 has achieved the rare distinction of being both a
literary classic and a perennial best seller,” noted GIAHA Executive
Director Heather Heath. “The response to our discussion groups,
exhibits, films and special events for The Big Read in Brunswick and
the Golden Isles has been overwhelming so far, and we know the general
public, as well as the targeted school grades 8, 9, and 11, will find
this production to be an entertaining and compelling way to journey
further into Ray Bradbury’s amazing world.”
Tickets to Fahrenheit 451 on Stage are $15 for adults and $10 for
students and seniors (65+) and may be purchased at the Ritz box office,
Tuesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased securely on the GIAHA web
site (www.goldenislesarts.org) or via phone with a credit card
(912-262-6934). Season Ritzpasses are also available, offering
audiences a choice of shows they want to see between now and March 2008
at discounted prices and with reserved seat privileges. For more
information about the production, tickets and Ritzpasses, please call
GIAHA, email (info@goldenislesarts.org), or visit the web site.
Local events and programs for The Big Read are presented by Golden
Isles Arts and Humanities Association in partnership with the
Brunswick-Glynn County Library and the Glynn County School
System. In addition to the stage production, a number of engaging
activities for The Big Read are planned for the entire month, including
a Bradbury on Film series at the Ritz on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. and
a First Amendment Film Series at the library (all screenings are free),
book discussion groups, exhibits, and school programs. Also,
anyone can go to a special web site (www.giaha.wordpress.com) and
participate in an ongoing online blog discussion about the book.
The site also has links to more information about the book and its
author, as well as details about a writing contest for all Glynn County
students in grades 6 through 12.
For a complete schedule of Big Read events
(through October 6), as well as full details about GIAHA’s 2007-2008
Performing Arts Series at the Ritz, visit www.goldenislesarts.org or call 912-262-6934 to request a schedule and season brochure.
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