Virginia Arts & Letters Live
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8 PM
at the Empire Theatre

Virginia actors read short stories by Virginia writers, accompanied by Virginia musicians.

In the tradition of NYC's celebrated "Selected Shorts," an A-team of Virginia’s finest actors, authors, and musicians mixes it up in a lively and literate celebration of theatrical derring-do, all taped live for broadcast on WCVE-FM.

Directed by Richmond actress/writer Irene Ziegler and co-produced by James River Writers and Barksdale Theatre, this event supports The READ Center for adult literacy.

PRICES
$25 / $20 for Barksdale and Theatre IV Subscribers and Members of James River Writers / $10 for students with ID. (Prices subject to change. Please contact the box office for the latest information.)

THE LOCATION
The Empire Theatre is located at
114 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Directions

THE GUEST HOST
NPR's Carl Kasell will host. (You finally get to see what he looks like!)

Most widely known as a newscaster for "Morning Edition," Mr. Kasell is also the official judge and scorekeeper for "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!"

The prize that "Wait Wait... "offers its listener contestants is a recording of Kasell's voice for their telephone answering machines. We'll be offering the same to one lucky winner. Attend Virginia Arts & Letters LIVE, and your name will be entered to win Carl Kasell's voice on your answering machine or voice mail!

THE AUTHORS, STORIES & PERFORMERS
Jason Marks reads "A Note Placed in the Pay Envelope of Billy 'The Piano Man' Joel" by John Moe. A frustrated piano bar manager asks young Billy Joel to play some 'real' songs for a change.

Carl Kasell reads "Forgetting the End of the World" by RHW Dillard. An aging man's deceitful memory leads him to understand the final nature of all things.

Raynor Scheine reads "The Death and Burial of Grady Quinn" by Richmond's Chad Edwards. At the turn of the century, a small girl witnesses a fatal accident and its aftermath.

Joe Pabst, Laine Satterfield, Carl Kasell and Irene Ziegler read "Aren't You Happy For Me?" by Richard Bausch. When his daughter calls with news of her engagement, a flabbergasted father wrestles with conflicting feelings.

THE MUSIC
The music of Happy Lucky Combo will accompany the evening's performances, and a reception will follow.