James Joyce lovers rejoice: Bloomsday is fast approaching. As has become tradition, Symphony Space is celebrating the occasion by staging a reading of Ulysses excerpts with a powerhouse cast of characters. For poor souls who can’t be there in person, make sure to catch the simulcast on June 16th (7 pm – 1 am).
If you are excited about this, you probably should be — Stephen certainly is. From the New York Times (some internal links omitted):
Stream of Conviviality for Leopold Bloom’s Day
By AMANDA PETRUSICH
Published: June 10, 2010. . .
Bloomsday on Broadway, staged annually at Symphony Space since 1981, has a cabal of actors and writers performing scenes from the novel. This year’s iteration, which will be simulcast on WNYC radio, wnyc.org and symphonyspace.org, explores the parallels between “Ulysses” and Homer’s “Odyssey.” Excerpts from both works will be enacted on Wednesday by a cast that includes Stephen Colbert, Ira Glass, Malachy McCourt, Tony Roberts and David Margulies. Isaiah Sheffer, artistic director of Symphony Space, will host.
. . .
Mr. Colbert, who cites Bloomsday on Broadway as one of the reasons he moved to New York, will play Odysseus. “Performing ‘Ulysses’ on Bloomsday at Symphony Space is the only way I’ll ever finish the damn book,” Mr. Colbert admitted in an e-mail message. The seven-hour event will culminate with a two-and-a-half-hour uncensored reading of Molly Bloom’s erotic late-night monologue by the actress Fionnula Flanagan.
. . .
Read The New York Times coverage of Bloomsday here
Get details and tickets on the Symphony Space Bloomsday on Broadway event here
Not convinced? Whet your appetite for Joyce by revisiting Bloomsday on Broadway XXIV, the 2005 performance. Symphony Space Live is streaming the CD for free for a limited time, and you won’t want to miss Stephen’s reading of Bloom in the “Calypso” and “Lotus Eaters” chapters.
So excited for this! That’s fantastic that Stephen’s going to be reading from The Odyssey as well. I will absolutely be listening to this Wednesday night. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
How remarkable he is in his readings. His rendition of “The Veldt” was terrific as was the “To Kill a Mockingbird” passage and panel. And who can forget “Wigfield.” He really makes the story come alive to the ear. I sure wish I lived closer; still, I am grateful for the sympath player as chances are being on MST, the simulcast will be way tooo late for me to keep listening, sigh. Funny how he says “Bloomsday” is the only way he gets to finish “Ulysses” … LOL …
reCAPTCHA: must oddness … LOL
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
““Performing ‘Ulysses’ on Bloomsday at Symphony Space is the only way I’ll ever finish the damn book,” Mr. Colbert admitted in an e-mail message.”
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha …… ow!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
I have my ticket! So looking forward to this. (And I bet Stephen really HAS read the “damn book!”)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
That’s awesome! Hope you have a great time!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back — lucky dog!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
I’m really looking forward to this, i’m gonna try to listen to it live. (This might be one of the very, very rare instances where being an insomniac might actually be an advantage. It’s on at 1am-7am my time.) Though i’m not sure i’m Joycean enough for six whole hours…
Sidenote: It seems like Stephen always have to be rushed straight from taping his show to do these, and it looks like this time will be no exception.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Thanks, guys. I will give a report. Since I love the book, and so many of the people performing are great, this should be wonderful. And of course, Stephen is appropriately named for the evening (even though he’s not playing his namesake character).
Shout Out (Hey!):
0