Write Out Loud Explores The American West

Write Out Loud - an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience presents The American West, the final production in their American Season XI, a season that focuses on American stories by American authors. Write Out Loud Story Concerts bring literature to life - aloud - with rehearsed readings by professional actors. Each program explores specific themes by weaving a variety of stories and poems together into a literary tapestry. The American West features San Diego performers Fran Gercke, Jessica John Gercke, Susan Clausen, Veronica Murphy and Walter Ritter. A complimentary pre-show reception starts at 6:15pm with a 7:00pm curtain.

Artistic Director, Veronica Murphy, shared "There are so many incredible stories about California and Hollywood, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, settlers and Native Americans...we could do an entire Season! For one evening we needed to refine our list - I was particularly moved by pieces that illustrate the character of the people of the early west, the hardships they encountered and how they looked out for each other. We also wanted to explore the important but often overlooked role of the women of that time. Not only do we finally get to include The Outcast of Poker Flat by Bret Harte, which is one of the most anthologized stories of the American West, and a piece by Pulitzer Prize winner, Wallace Stegner, a long time favorite of mine, but we also get to introduce some lesser known contemporary authors. We are excited to share this fantastic range of stories about cowboys, their horses, gamblers, innocents, prostitutes and more.

The American West Stories To Include:

The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte - read by Fran Gercke, Jessica John Gercke, Susan Clausen, Veronica Murphy and Walter Ritter

It Must Be Something Exciting by Wallace Stegner - read by Fran Gercke and Jessica John Gercke

About Men by Gretel Ehrlich - read by Susan Clausen

Cabin Fever by Dorothy Scarborough - read by Veronica Murphy

Half of What Atlee Rouse Knows About Horses by Bret Anthony Johnston - read by Walter Ritter

The Blood Bay by Annie Proulx - read by Fran Gercke

I Always Called Her Aunt Susie by Leslie Marmon Silko read by Jessica John Gercke

Tickets for The American West are $25. There are discounts for seniors, students and military. Purchase tickets on-line at www.writeoutloudsd.com or by calling 619-297-8953.

In addition to their six show season of Story Concerts, Write Out Loud provides the community six other core programs serving over 18,000 people annually. Additional programs include TwainFest - a free literary celebration each August in Old Town State Park, Stories for Seniors, StoryBox Theatre for elementary students, NEA BIG READ - Read Imagine Create for teens, Poetry Out Loud and, new this year, Ripples From Walden Pond, a one-man play for high school students.

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