Writers on a New England Stage to Welcome Tom Brokaw, 5/20

The Music Hall's Writers on a New England Stage series is delighted to welcome celebrated journalist, renowned author, Emmy award winner, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Tom Brokaw to on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Mr. Brokaw will take the stage to discuss his highly anticipated new book, A LUCKY LIFE INTERRUPTED: A Memoir of Hope. The six-time bestselling author of The Greatest Generation offers a candid, deeply personal, and insightful work chronicling his year battling against cancer, the medical quest to extend his life, and reflecting the many memorable moments of his career, including significant interviews and breaking news events.

The 7:30pm event in The Music Hall's Historic Theater in downtown Portsmouth, NH, includes an author presentation and on-stage interview with Virginia Prescott, host of New Hampshire Public Radio's "Word of Mouth." The series' house band Dreadnaught will play live music during the one hour event.

"Tom Brokaw is a journalist of the highest integrity, someone we have all put faith in and turned to in inspiring and difficult times in our country. It is only fitting that he should approach writing about his own life with the same honest and compassionate veracity," said Patricia Lynch, Executive Director of The Music Hall. "A LUCKY LIFE INTERRUPTED is said to be 'Brokaw on Brokaw,' and I look forward to hearing from the man behind the awards and achievements and learning his approach to living life with dignity and gratefulness."

Devised from journal entries he began making upon learning of his cancer diagnosis in 2013, this powerful memoiroffers a message of understanding and empowerment, resolve and reality, hope for the future and gratitude for a well-lived life. Not only does Brokaw bring us along with him through the pain, procedures, drug regimens, and physical rehabilitation, but he also pauses to look back on some of the important moments in his career: memories of Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the morning of September 11, 2001 in New York City. Through it all, Tom Brokaw writes in the warm, intimate, natural voice of one of America's most beloved journalists.

Tom Brokaw has led a fortunate life, with a strong marriage and family, many friends, and a brilliant journalism career culminating in his twenty-two years as anchor of the NBC Nightly News and a bestselling author. But in the summer of 2013, when back pain led him to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, his run of good luck was interrupted. He received shocking news: He had multiple myeloma, a treatable but incurable blood cancer. Friends had always referred to Brokaw's "lucky star," but as he writes in this inspiring memoir, "Turns out that star has a dimmer switch."

Brokaw takes us through all the seasons and stages of this surprising year, the emotions, discoveries, setbacks, and struggles-times of denial, acceptance, turning points, and courage. After his diagnosis, Brokaw began to keep a journal, approaching this new stage of his life in a familiar role: as a journalist, determined to learn as much as he could about his condition, to report the story, and help others facing similar battles. That journal became the basis of this wonderfully written memoir, the story of a man coming to terms with his own mortality, contemplating what means the most to him now, and reflecting on what has meant the most to him throughout his life.

Tom Brokaw is the author of six bestsellers: The Greatest Generation, The Greatest Generation Speaks, An Album of Memories, Boom!, The Time of Our Lives, and A Long Way from Home. A native of South Dakota, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in political science. He began his journalism career in Omaha and Atlanta before joining NBC News in 1966. Brokaw was the White House correspondent for NBC News during Watergate, and from 1976 to 1981 he anchored Today on NBC. He was the sole anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw from 1983 to 2005. He continues to report for NBC News, producing long-form documentaries and providing expertise during breaking news events. Brokaw has won every major award in broadcast journalism, including two DuPonts, three Peabody Awards, and several Emmys, including one for lifetime achievement. In 2014, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He lives in New York and Montana.

Tickets to Writers on a New England Stage: Tom Brokaw on Wednesday, May 20, are $13.25 ($11.25 for members of The Music Hall). For each 1-2 tickets sold, the purchase of a book voucher ($27, hardcover edition) is required. Event tickets can be purchased at The Music Hall box office in the Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, or over the phone at 603-436-2400. Tickets are not available for purchase online.

Signed copies of the author's discussed work, A LUCKY LIFE INTERRUPTED, can be reserved in advance with the purchase of a book voucher ($27, hardcover edition). Vouchers can be redeemed on the night for a signed book. Additional copies of the book can be purchased as available that evening. Book vouchers are not available online - call or visit the box office to purchase or for more information

Tickets go on sale to Music Hall members Sat. May 2, (10am walk-up; 12noon phone sales) and Friday, May 8 at noon to the general public.

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