Mark Twain to pay visit to Ritz

"Mark Twain at Large" will be presented live on stage at The Ritz Civic Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Admission is $15 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted free. Advance tickets are available.

The show is part of the 2011-12 Series of the Arts Council of Mississippi County.

Ron Jewell first donned a white suit and tried on the likeness of America's greatest humorist, Samuel Clemens, in 1974. That initial characterization has developed from just a few minutes into a major stage event. The first stage tour by Jewell lasted more than 30 weeks and included more than 300 performances throughout the Midwest. Since then, his repertoire has expanded and has been presented more than 2,000 times across the United States.

"Mark Twain at Large" is a full-length, one-man theatrical tour de force that seemingly channels the 70-plus-year-old Clemens one stormy night from his home in Connecticut called Stormfield. Racing in from the thunderous rains, Clemens (a.k.a. Twain) invites the audience, his imaginary captured guests, into his private study for an intimate face-to-face conversation, filled with stories and anecdotes taken directly from the literary pages.

Jewell's performance is personable and touching, and delivered as if the humorist is telling the tall tales and yarns for the very first time. Then, as quickly as they came, the rains stop, his guests are finally given an opportunity to escape, and the charismatic philosopher sends them out into the night.

Arrangements for "Mark Twain at Large" were handled by Hyperion Productions of New York, as Jewell's representative.

Additionally, Jewell will be presented in educational programs being made available to area students on Nov 1 and 2. He will present special school-day performances at Rivercrest High School, Osceola High School and Blytheville High School, as well as at The Ritz. These programs are provided at no cost to the students or the schools.

For more information about "Mark Twain at Large" or any other programs or events sponsored by The Arts Council of Mississippi County, call 870-762-1744, or visit www.artsmissco.com.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com