Finally! I’ve been looking for this recording for years — not an exaggeration — I even asked Stephen about it at a taping of The Colbert Report I attended in early 2007. Until now, it did not seem to be available, but Symphony Space has released a new collection of its Selected Shorts series (“A Touch of Magic“), and it features Stephen Colbert reading “The Veldt”, a short story by Ray Bradbury originally entitled “The World the Children Made” (in 1950).
Some of you may recall Selected Shorts from Stephen’s reading of T.C. Boyle’s “The Lie” earlier this year; the series features notable actors from the stage and screen lending their talents to present short stories to the listening public weekly on PRI. I was never able to find their recording of “The Veldt” before now, as Stephen recorded it several years ago (in 2006, I think), but it didn’t disappoint. If you’re not familiar with Ray Bradbury’s menacingly creepy short story, you’re in for a treat. (In fact, it might even be best if those of you planning on listening to Stephen’s reading refrain from looking up any story synopses, as they’d almost certainly spoil the ending.)
So far as I can tell, the story is not available in any (free) streaming version* on the Symphony Space site; we will, of course, post a link to the audio if the theater provides one. In the meantime, you can purchase “A Touch of Magic” on CD for $28 or download the MP3 for $18. The collection includes stories by W.W. Jacobs, Saki, Jonathan Safran Foer and many more and features performances by the likes of John Lithgow and Anthony Rapp. I can absolutely assure you that it’s worth the price tag. I just listened to “The Veldt”, and I unconditionally loved it; I’m listening to the other selections even now.
Click here or on the image above to go to the Symphony Space eStore for your copy. You’ll really love it, I’m sure!
*Before anyone requests that “someone put this online”, I’d like to ask people to strongly consider purchasing the collection over at Symphony Space. I know it’s probably a lot of money for some of our readers, but theaters and Public Radio International are in the business of bringing art to the public, and they are both hurting for funds. It would be great if we could support them, even in this small way, by purchasing some of their products. — Ms I
wow! when I saw this post I was so excited could barely click here fast enough…I ended up hitting all these wrong links. OK! Ray Bradbury is fantastic, The Veldt is one of the primary reasons I believe that, and throwing Stephen Colbert into the mix makes this even more perfect. I didn’t even know such a performance existed, but if I had, I’d have been in dogged pursuit as well. anyway, it doesn’t make sense for me to buy this, but this something I can highly recommend without even hearing it! :D
(PS: when I copied and pasted a sentence I wrote while composing my comment, it got tacked onto the end a message saying “read more at …” where the … was some nofactzone link.)
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Given how much you like the story, believe me, it’s probably just as well you didn’t know about it. I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been all this time, looking for the audio and only finding dead links and radio listings from years past.
I’m SO glad they finally included it on one of their collections!
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you’re probably right– I hate those sort of dead-end leads! I’m glad for everyone that it’s official now. :D
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Oh wow, sounds interesting. How long is the whole CD and how long is the particular story Stephen reads? I see Anthony Rapp from the original production of RENT reads one of the stories as well. I’d be interested in hearing that one too, along with the other T.C. Boyle story on there.
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Stephen’s story is 29:11 long and the whole album is 3.2 hours long (according to iTunes). $18 is a good deal, IMHO.
Fract: The story that Jeffrey Zaks reads (Jonathan Safran Foer’s The Sixth Borough) is hanging by my front door, framed and signed by the author. It is great.
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Thanks so much for posting about this Ms. I! I’m downloading my file from Symphony Space right now (4 minutes remaining).
Fract: You’re given an option of adding a donation to Symphony Space in someone’s honor to your order, so I gave a few extra dollars in honor of Stephen. Hopefully that will encourage Symphony Space to invite him back soon, so I can finally get to one of these readings! Stephen’s reading of Boyle’s “The Liar” had me in ecstasies just listening to the mp3. And whoever picks the stories for Symphony Space has as awesome taste in literature as they do in guest readers.
Less than a minute to UnZip! Sweet…
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You’re welcome. :)
I’ve been quite, quite happy, listening to all the stories today.
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Aw! How great that you gave in Stephen’s honor!
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Oh, I wish I could buy this!! Perhaps on my next paycheck? I’m sure it’s a great buy, too, I love hearing Stephen read. He did a wonderful job with “The Lie.”
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