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Dramatic readings from Steinbeck

Paul McComas will present a fresh look at five of John Steinbeck’s books at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 2,  at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

Hosted by Winchester Academy, McComas’ program, “Scribe of Social Conscience: Steinbeck Plus  Seventy-Five” is free and open to the public.

McComas will discuss and perform dramatic readings from Of Mice and Men and the epic Depression-era protest novel, The Grapes of Wrath. He will also draw on excepts from three other John Steinbeck books – East of Eden, Cannery Row and Travels with Charley: In Search of America.

A Wisconsin born-and-raised author, actor and film maker, McComas emphasizes Steinbeck’s status as a chronicler of the “have-nots.”  

“With Steinbeck’s unflagging insistence that each of us is, and indeed, must be, our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers, Steinbeck 75 years later could hardly be more timely,” McComas said.
In his presentation, McComas brings Steinbeck’s work to life not only with the spoken word, but through song and drama.  

McComas said his desire to create this performance-based piece was to spread Steinbeck’s message of social justice to a time when it’s more relevant than ever.

“Steinbeck is often confined to a shelf, but when you come back to him as an adult, it’s very rewarding,” McComas said.  

McComas is the author of two novels, Planet of the Dates and Unplugged, two short-story collections, Unforgettable and Twenty Questions, and a novella, Fit for a Frankenstein.

Winchester Academy program expenses are funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations. McComas’ program is sponsored by Ruby and Barry Shaw.

For more information about Winchester Academy, visit winchesteracademywaupaca.org or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 715-258-2927 or [email protected].

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