The 2014 season is underway at the Chautauqua Institution. As WBFO's Mark Scott reports in our Chautauqua Preview, the first week includes an exploration of storytelling through the written word and much more.
Chautauqua celebrates life-long learning. This week will focus on the art of writing with Roger Rosenblatt and Friends. Rosenblatt is a novelist, essayist and professor. He has invited five friends to join him on the Amphitheater stage this week. Chautauqua President Tom Becker says Rosenblatt is a favorite of the Chautauqua audience.
"This is an audience who loves to read," Becker said.
Joining Rosenblatt this morning (June 23) is retired NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw. The famed newsman is battling cancer. Becker says Brokaw is making a special effort in traveling to Chautauqua. As the nation marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion during World War II, Brokaw is likely to touch on his ground-breaking book, "The Greatest Generation."
Other famous names coming to Chautauqua this week include authors Margaret Atwood and Elizabeth Strout, political cartoonist Jules Feiffer and poet Paul Muldoon.
Another old friend of Chautauqua is returning for the afternoon Inter-Faith series at the Hall of Philosophy. Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong will spend the entire week addressing the topic, "The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic." Associate Director of Religion Maureen Rovegno says a unique perspective on the gospel of John will be offered by Bishop Spong.
"He's an interpreter of scripture," Rovegno said. "He takes his listeners into a deeper meaning."
From morning and afternoon lectures to evening entertainment, Chautauqua's inaugural week includes the premier of the Chautauqua Theater production of "A Raisin in the Sun." This classic is enjoying a revival on Broadway this year. Theater Director Vivienne Benesch says it's story that is as powerful today as it was when the play was first produced a half-century ago.
"That story resonates with so many other communities," Benesch said.
The curtain rises on "A Raisin in the Sun" Friday night at 8 at the Bratton Theater.
Then Saturday night, the famed Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra takes the stage for the first time. This season, eight guest conductors will lead the orchestra -- all eight being finalists for the open music director's post at Chautauqua. Vice President of Programming Marty Merkley says Marcelo Lehninger will lead the orchestra with guest pianist Andreas Klein.
The concert begins Saturday night at 8:15 at the Chautauqua Amphitheater.