{"id":9270,"date":"2018-09-21T10:19:47","date_gmt":"2018-09-21T17:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9270"},"modified":"2018-09-21T10:19:47","modified_gmt":"2018-09-21T17:19:47","slug":"storm-reading-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9270","title":{"rendered":"“Storm Reading” Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Storm

Storm Reading, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

When Access Theatre<\/a>\u2019s pioneering play Storm Reading<\/em><\/a> debuted at the Lobero<\/a> in 1988, it was a ground-breaking piece of theater, which went on to inspire audiences in show after show worldwide for nearly a decade. Part of what made this play so extraordinary is the central character, Neil Marcus<\/a>, who played himself during the play\u2019s six-year run. Marcus lives with a very visible disability and works hard to represent life in a realistic way that is not focused on the fear of being different.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world says \u2018You are a spastic quadriplegic.\u2019 I say I\u2019m a dancer. There\u2019s a new movement happening in the world. People are beginning to realize they are more than what they\u2019ve been told they are. The flame is fanned. The fire spreads. Every moment is a new moment to do what\u2019s never been done before,\u201d says Marcus in Storm Reading<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Storm

Storm Reading, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

Now a new generation has the opportunity to familiarize itself with the show, when Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation<\/a> hosts \u201cCelebrating Storm Reading<\/em>,\u201d an evening with the acclaimed Access Theatre cast (Neil Marcus, Matthew Ingersoll and Kathryn Voice) and Director\/Producer Rod Lathim<\/a>. Along with special guest Anthony Edwards<\/a>, the cast and creators will return to the Lobero Theatre to take a look back at the impact\u00a0the play had on audiences and at the sustaining message that art holds the transformative power to heal body and mind. Selected scenes from the show will be staged and scenes from the television version will be screened.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year is the 30th<\/sup> anniversary of the debut of Storm Reading<\/em>,\u201d says Lathim, founder and artistic director of the award-winning theatre company, Access Theatre, from 1979-1996. \u201cStorm Reading<\/em> was unique because it was created here in Santa Barbara and went on to tour internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Storm

Storm Reading, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

Storm Reading<\/em> went on to tour through 20 states in the USA, as well as Canada and England over six years, and it garnered recognition from several luminaries in the entertainment world. Maria Shriver interviewed Marcus on The Today Show<\/em>, and Linda Wertheimer featured him on National Public Radio\u2019s \u201cAll Things Considered.\u201d Storm Reading<\/em> was performed as part of the NBC TV Special \u201cFrom the Heart\u201d at the Kennedy Center with Access Theatre Honorary Board Member Michael Douglas.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss \u201cCelebrating Storm Reading<\/em>\u201d at the Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara) on Friday, September 21 at 7 p.m. A VIP reception begins at 5:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit cottagehealth.org\/crhevent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on September 19, 2018.<\/p>\n

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