Lancaster's Poet Laureate Christine Longenecker Set for an Evening of Robert Frost & Her Own Frost-Inspired Poetry

Her performance February a year ago was a sold-out smash. So, the Ware Center & the Lancaster Literary Guild decided to bring Christine Longenecker back in an all new night of poetry.

Lancaster's Poet Laureate Christine Longenecker and her husband Rick Shoup will perform selected pairings of Robert Frost and Frost-inspired Longenecker's poetry. Christine and her husband are actors, too, so the poetry is more "performed" rather than just read or "recited." The dramatic interpretations will be interspersed with songs from "Frostiana" (Frost's poetry set to music by Randall Thompson and performed by Lancaster's MiContraFa choral ensemble). At the end of the program, audience members are invited to stay for a light reception and a chance to speak with the poet. She will also have her latest book of poems "How Trees Must Feel" available for purchase and signing. This performance is new and is not an encore performance of last year's event.

Onstage, Longenecker - who is a gifted storyteller, as well -- brings life to Frost's and her own poetry with vitality and deep-felt emotion. The poetry is usually preceded by a personal anecdote that is often as humorous as it is informative. It's been said Christine possesses a quiet, self-assured presence that creates a feeling of warmth and wisdom, whether reading her own work or those in the classical canon.

"Two Roads Converged" is being held at the Ware Center, 42 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA on Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 PM. Discount parking passes are available for the Prince Street Garage at the corner of North Prince and West Orange and the Hager Parking lot across the street. The Ware Center is completely handicapped accessible.

The performance has been sanctioned by Henry Holt and Co., the publishing company that controls the rights to Frost's poerty.

This event is produced by Lancaster Literary Guild & Millersville University. It is sponsored by Rodgers & Associates, Ann B. Barshinger, Aussie and the Fox, Fine Living Lancaster, Hagelgans & Veronis, Dr. Mary Kearns & Dr. Jon Walker and Peggy Neff.

Tickets cost $15 for the general public, $10 LLG members & seniors, $5 students (MU students free). Tickets may be purchased by calling 717-872-3811 or 717-871-2308, Online at www.artsmu.com or in person at the Ware Center Box Office (42 N. Prince St., Lancaster) or the SMC Building on Millersville University's campus. If tickets are still available, tickets may be purchased the day of the show, one hour prior to the performance.

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