Ridgefield Writes Spotlights O'Neill

Along with the rest of the town’s 300^th anniversary activities, our Ridgefield Writes yearlong celebration of Ridgefield authors will wrap up this month with one last special series of programs, applying the successful formula we have used previously for explorations of “Don Quixote” and Shakespeare’s tragedies. A Ridgefield property owner starting in 1922, Eugene O’Neill wrote many of his most celebrated plays while living in town. We will focus on “Desire Under the Elms,” which has the further local significance of having its setting inspired by the playwright’s Brook Farm on North Salem Road.

We will start out on Saturday, September 13^th at 10 AM with a screening of the 1958 film version of the play, followed by a discussion led by film buff Lou Sabini.

Knowledgeable and entertaining on a wide range of literary topics, Yale Professor Dr. Mark Schenker returns on Thursday the 18^th at 7 PM with a lecture on “Eugene O’Neill: The Man and his Works.”

On Saturday the 20^th at 10 AM, we will air a documentary on Eugene O’Neill produced for PBS’s American Masters series.

Monday, September 22^nd at 2 PM and at 7 PM, readers will have a chance to weigh in during scholarly book discussions led by Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski. Registration is required only for the book discussions, and those who sign up will receive a free copy of the text.

We will wind up our journey with a dramatic presentation by Stephen Collins on October 23^rd at 7 PM. A frequent performer at the Library, Mr. Collins will treat audiences to scenes from the “Theater of the 30s, 40s and 50s,” including excerpts from plays by Thornton Wilder, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and, of course, Eugene O’Neill.

Ridgefield Writes has been made possible by a grant from the Wadsworth Russell Lewis Fund.