PlayLab Readings 1999-2000

WALDEN

By Bill George
Directed by Alan Bruun, Tom Taylor,  Henry David Thoreau

"When I wrote these pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only. I lived there two years and two months. At present I am a sojourner in civilized life again."

Thus begins the dramatic adaptation of Henry David Thoreaušs classic autobiography "Walden," the next event in the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival's PlayLab series, scheduled for Monday March 20 at 7 PM at the Theatre in the Orange County Historical Museum. Bill George's new one-man stage version brings the philosopher's diaries to life with a contemplative, yet energetic voice. Thoreau's decision to live a simple and deliberate life in the woods takes him on a spiritual odyssey.

"I had thus a tight shingled and plastered house, ten feet wide by fifteen long, and eight-feet posts, with a garret and a closet, a large window on each side, two trap-doors, one door at the end, and a brick fireplace opposite."

In this seemingly tranquil setting, a powerful internal drama unfolds.

This reading of "Walden" will be directed by Alan Bruun, artistic director of the Mad Cow Theatre. Tom Taylor, who most recently appeared in the Festival's "Complete History of America, abridged," will play Thoreau.

"Walden" will be read on March 20 at 7:00 PM.  Admission is free, and the audience is encouraged to stay for the post-show discussion.  The Orange County Historical Museum is located at 812 E. Rollins St., in Orlando-Loch Haven Park. There is free parking, and the theatre is handicapped-accessible.  

Reservations are not necessary.  The PlayLab series continues next month with workshop productions of three new plays.  For a detailed calendar listing all events, please call Eric Hissom (407) 893-4600 extension 242.

Who's Who

Alan Bruun is the co-Artistic Director of Mad Cow Theatre, currently continuing its third season with The Glass Menagerie at The Civic Theatre. He has directed three readings for the Festival's "Shakespeare Unplugged" series, and was a member of the acting company during the 1998  season at Lake Eola.

Alan has directed over 30 productions in Central Florida, including Assassins, Falsettos, Terra Nova, and The Elephant  Man for the Civic Theatre; Romeo et Juliette, Falstaff, La Boheme, and Cosi fan tutte for Orlando Opera; and Betrayal, Master Harold and the Boys, and The Turn of the Screw for Mad Cow.  He will direct  an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Ballad of Reading Gaol  for this yearšs Orlando Fringe Festival.

Tom Taylor appeared this season on this very stage in the huge hit Complete History of America, abridged.  He recently played Biff Loman in Death of a Salesman at Theatre Downtown, and was featured in the one-man show, Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll at Club Cairo.  For 18 months he appeared in Shear Madness with his wife Allison.  Tom teaches theatre at Trinity Preparatory School and is the proud father of 3-year old Forrest and brand new baby Jack.

                                                                 Last Updated: 05/06/2007                    Copyright Orlando Shakespeare Theater