By Angela Lambinus
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – A world premiere full-length re-adaptation of Edgar Lee Master’s classic collection of free verse epitaphs, “Spoon River Anthology,” will be presented in April at the Camden County College Blackwood campus.
Spoon River Anthology’ will be performed the second and third weeks of April. By Angela Lambinus, CCC Journalism Program
The classic collection of free verse epitaphs illuminates the lives and losses of the residents from the mythical small American town of Spoon River. The re-interpretation will celebrate Americana in multimedia photos and film and will be accompanied by classic music from America’s heartland.
Professor Curt Whipple, who adapted and directs this special event, says, “It’s an outreach program/full production made up of almost 90 percent student involvement.” Whipple states it is an extension from classroom to stage. It’s about the dead characters emotionally coming alive through classic American poetry and multimedia film work by film students under film professor Tom Murray, says Whipple.
The performance will be open to all students, faculty, friends and family on a variety of dates in the second and third weeks of April. The performance dates and times are April 12, 13, 19 and 20 from 8 to 11p.m. and April 14 and 21 from 2 to 5 p.m., all held at the Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater in Lincoln Hall at Camden County College’s Blackwood campus. This performance is a free event with a $15 suggested donation, $10 suggested donation for students and senior citizens with open selected seating available. More information about this event can be found at http://www.camdencc.edu.
“Of course what made ‘Spoon River Anthology’ immediately popular was the shock of recognition,” says critic Ernest Earnest in the winter 1967 edition of “Western Humanities Review.” “The individual epitaphs take on added meaning because of often complex interrelationships among the characters. Spoon River is a community, a microcosm, not a collection of individuals.”
As to if she will attend a performance, CCC dental hygiene student Corinne Soupik says she was not aware of this special event but would like to catch a performance. Soupik says, “It wouldn’t be something I know much about but it would be nice to try something new. You never know, it could be really interesting.”
“Spoon River Anthology” may not appeal to theatergoers who insist their entertainment be light and uplifting, but those who enjoy exploring the dark side of life will find a visit to Spoon River extremely rewarding,” says Doug Krentzlin of The Examiner.
