Silver Shine: Shel Silverstein's Legacy Lives on at the Oakland
Gary S. Angelo FEATURES REPORTER
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Features
On Feb. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 at Youngstown's Oakland Center for the Arts, iconic children's book author, folk musician and poet Shel Silverstein will be honored with a play titled "An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein." Youngstown State University alumnus Shawn Lockaton will direct the play.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Silverstein was acclaimed for writing "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back," "A Giraffe and a Half" and "A Light in the Attic." However, this play does not highlight the child-friendly literature of Silverstein, and instead pays tribute to the author's darker, raunchier adult humor side.
"An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein" will honor the author's unique knack for vulgar poetry and vignettes. Silverstein was also known for his cartoons in Playboy magazine and his collaborations with comedian Pat Dailey. As a songwriter, Silverstein collaborated with country music stars Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, even writing the lyrics of Cash's classic "A Boy Named Sue."
Friday's opening night will feature an art showcase by Jessica Naples. All performances begin at 8 p.m., with the exception of Sunday's show, which starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for YSU students.
The cast for "An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein" includes Courtney Auman, David El'Hatton, Chuck Fettering, Adam Jackson, Bernadette Lim, Shaun Lipe, Molly Makselan, Eric McCrea, Dan Poppke, Jon Sauline and Suzanne Shorrab.
Oakland Center for the Arts President Brooke Slanina feels that the event will be an exciting, eclectic showcase.
"The play will feature a cast of 12 members plus 10 vignettes with some serious vulgar humor. People love Shel Silverstein and they way he plays with words," Slanina said.
For instance, Silverstein wrote a song about venereal diseases called "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love the Most."
Slanina also said the play will include mini-comedy scenes where all cast members play multiple roles.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Silverstein was acclaimed for writing "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back," "A Giraffe and a Half" and "A Light in the Attic." However, this play does not highlight the child-friendly literature of Silverstein, and instead pays tribute to the author's darker, raunchier adult humor side.
"An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein" will honor the author's unique knack for vulgar poetry and vignettes. Silverstein was also known for his cartoons in Playboy magazine and his collaborations with comedian Pat Dailey. As a songwriter, Silverstein collaborated with country music stars Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, even writing the lyrics of Cash's classic "A Boy Named Sue."
Friday's opening night will feature an art showcase by Jessica Naples. All performances begin at 8 p.m., with the exception of Sunday's show, which starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for YSU students.
The cast for "An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein" includes Courtney Auman, David El'Hatton, Chuck Fettering, Adam Jackson, Bernadette Lim, Shaun Lipe, Molly Makselan, Eric McCrea, Dan Poppke, Jon Sauline and Suzanne Shorrab.
Oakland Center for the Arts President Brooke Slanina feels that the event will be an exciting, eclectic showcase.
"The play will feature a cast of 12 members plus 10 vignettes with some serious vulgar humor. People love Shel Silverstein and they way he plays with words," Slanina said.
For instance, Silverstein wrote a song about venereal diseases called "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love the Most."
Slanina also said the play will include mini-comedy scenes where all cast members play multiple roles.
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