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Wednesday, 12 July 2006 12:58 |
| John North
Editor & Publisher |
CULLOWHEE ?? ?®Mark Twain Tonight,?∆ the one-man show starring Hal Holbrook, proved to be a treat of verbal fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday at Western Carolina University.
I was fortunate enough be among the 1,000 patrons to witness the Sunday Sizzlin?? Summer Short Series on July 2 in WCU??s sparkling-new, sold-out Fine and Performing Arts Center.
After
two solid hours of performance, separated by a 20-minute intermission,
a sweat-covered, cigar-puffing, 80-year-old Holbrook received a
sustained standing ovation from the audience.
His performance
was so energetic, I worried he might suffer a heart attack on stage,
especially during the part that he was portraying Huckleberry Finn in
an interaction with Jim, a runaway black slave. After further
consideration, though, I have concluded that acting has proved to be a
life-sustaining experience for Holbrook.
As Twain, the
white-haired Holbrook wore a white, three-piece suit, with a tie and
leather shoes. Throughout the show, he periodically lighted up cigars
and puffed away on them, as Twain was known to do, adding an added air
of authenticity as well as being appropriately politically incorrect in
these health-conscious times. Twain lived from 1835 to 1910.
The set was minimalist, with just a few period-piece furnishings, including a chair and a table.
This was truly a
show ?? and not just a lecture. In a one-man show, one has to be quite
talented. To that end, Holbrook demonstrated that he has talent to burn.
Indeed,
Holbrook, who first played Twain in a solo performance in 1954, spent
five years honing his material and began his current show in 1959. It
has earned much critical success and has received several major awards.
The show arrived on Broadway in March 22, 1966 and played for 85
performances. Holbrook won that year??s Tony Award and a Drama Critic??s
Circle Award for Best Actor in a Play.
Holbrook also
has starred in many other roles on Broadway and has appeared in 50
television movies and mini-series, winning five Emmys.
?®Ironically,?∆ as
noted in the show??s program, ?®Holbrook is now age-appropriate for the
part,?∆ which he began playing at age 29, albeit with more makeup.
Around four
years ago in Eugene, Ore., I first saw ?®Mark Twain Tonight?∆ and, I must
say, Holbrook is every bit as sharp now as he was then. (However, it
seems like Holbrook??s Twain was a bit more critical of organized
religion in ?®The People??s Republic of Eugene?∆ than he was in Culluwhee,
in the heart of the Bible Belt.)
I chose to see
Holbrook??s show a second time because I have a deep appreciation for
Twain, who I regard as a quintessential American humorist and writer.
Twain??s character, writings and wit strike me as timeless.
Twain??s humor,
at least in my view, arises from a dry wit, leavened by a profound
cynicism, and seasoned with a keen eye for the foibles of humanity.
Through his
works including ?®Huckleberry Finn?∆ and ?®Tom Sawyer,?∆ as well as his
pithy witticisms, Twain has left an indelible legacy that resonates
even in today??s world. Fortunately, Holbrook has kept Twain??s flame of
wit alive for today??s audiences.
?®It ain??t what
you don??t know that gets you into trouble. It??s what you know for sure
that just ain??t so,?∆ Twain once said. Sagely, I might add.
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