The Odyssey

School-age children and adults are invited to a special near-end-of-summer holiday performance of “The Odyssey” by local theatre artist Ritchie Porter. The program will be presented in the Children’s Room of the Library on Tuesday evening, August 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Porter’s May 20th appearance at the Library for “Treasure Island” was a standing-room-only event, where even the standing room was quite a squeeze. Both performances are being paid for with a grant from the Washington Redskins, with the cooperation of the Friends of the Library, to support and encourage summer reading.

Last year’s performance by Porter of “The Odyssey” was a remarkable tour de force which captivated teenagers and adults and well as younger children. Those with no prior knowledge of Homer’s great epic were enthralled by the adventure, whereas the more sophisticated among the audience were treated to a hilarious Monty Python-esque interpretation involving homey props from the toy box and the kitchen cabinet. Porter is repeating the performance this summer at the fervent request of the Children’s Librarian, who loved it and thinks it is an ideal program to span the age groups.

A veteran of the Washington theater scene, Porter teaches upper school drama at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda. He has appeared in theater productions at Arena Stage, the Source, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Lumina Theatre Group. He has toured nationally with the Kennedy Center’s Programs for Youth and Families. Porter lives in greater Takoma Park and is a Takoma Park Library patron.

Please join us for this special treat. Preregister at the Desk or by calling 301-891-7259.