Press Release
Originally Published: February 14, 2006Poetry Foundation Presents Archibald MacLeish's JB A Staged Reading Produced by Bernard Sahlins
Chicago, IL — The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is pleased to announce a staged reading of Archibald MacLeish's JB produced by Bernard Sahlins. This is the fourth production in the Foundation's Poetry on Stage series and runs from March 4-5.
What: Archibald MacLeish's JB: A Staged Reading
When: Saturday, March 4, 3:00pm & 7:30pm; Sunday, March 5, 3:00pm
Where: Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Tickets: $20.00 adults; $15.00 students & seniors.
For reservations, call Steppenwolf Audience Services. Phone: (312) 335-1650.
JB ambitiously retells the Book of Job, transporting it to a modern circus setting. It renews God's wager with the Devil, raising the still urgent questions of why a righteous man should suffer and how a God that is good can abide evil.
"We are pleased and excited by the enthusiastic response to the Poetry on Stage series," said Stephen Young, Program Director of The Poetry Foundation. "These lively productions have helped further the Foundation's goal to bring the best poetry before an ever-wider audience."
JB won MacLeish his third Pulitzer Prize when it was staged on Broadway in 1958. MacLeish, a son of Glencoe, Illinois, managed to leverage his versatile talents as a writer into multiple careers: in law, teaching, publishing, diplomacy, and public service as Librarian of Congress. This production stars Poetry on Stage veterans Nicholas Rudall, Greg Vinkler, and Scott Jaeck. Richard Christiansen, former Chief Theater Critic for the Chicago Tribune, will lead audience discussions following the performances.
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Upcoming Poetry Foundation Events:
Poetry Off the Shelf: A.E. Stallings & Susan Hahn
Monday, March 6 at 6:00pm
Poetry Off the Shelf: Adam Zagajewski and Clare Cavanagh
Thursday, April 27th at 6:00pm
For further details, and to sign up to receive email notices of Poetry Foundation events, please visit www.poetryfoundation.org.
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About The Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. One of the largest literary organizations in the world, it exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs. In addition to launching a major new poetry web site, the Foundation is sponsoring a national recitation contest in the schools, and an unprecedented study to understand poetry's place in American culture.
What: Archibald MacLeish's JB: A Staged Reading
When: Saturday, March 4, 3:00pm & 7:30pm; Sunday, March 5, 3:00pm
Where: Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 North Halsted Street, Chicago
Tickets: $20.00 adults; $15.00 students & seniors.
For reservations, call Steppenwolf Audience Services. Phone: (312) 335-1650.
JB ambitiously retells the Book of Job, transporting it to a modern circus setting. It renews God's wager with the Devil, raising the still urgent questions of why a righteous man should suffer and how a God that is good can abide evil.
"We are pleased and excited by the enthusiastic response to the Poetry on Stage series," said Stephen Young, Program Director of The Poetry Foundation. "These lively productions have helped further the Foundation's goal to bring the best poetry before an ever-wider audience."
JB won MacLeish his third Pulitzer Prize when it was staged on Broadway in 1958. MacLeish, a son of Glencoe, Illinois, managed to leverage his versatile talents as a writer into multiple careers: in law, teaching, publishing, diplomacy, and public service as Librarian of Congress. This production stars Poetry on Stage veterans Nicholas Rudall, Greg Vinkler, and Scott Jaeck. Richard Christiansen, former Chief Theater Critic for the Chicago Tribune, will lead audience discussions following the performances.
Upcoming Poetry Foundation Events:
Poetry Off the Shelf: A.E. Stallings & Susan Hahn
Monday, March 6 at 6:00pm
Poetry Off the Shelf: Adam Zagajewski and Clare Cavanagh
Thursday, April 27th at 6:00pm
For further details, and to sign up to receive email notices of Poetry Foundation events, please visit www.poetryfoundation.org.
About The Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. One of the largest literary organizations in the world, it exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs. In addition to launching a major new poetry web site, the Foundation is sponsoring a national recitation contest in the schools, and an unprecedented study to understand poetry's place in American culture.