The Gamm Hosts Free Multimedia Event with Author Susan Quinn

On Sunday January 18 at 5 p.m., The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) will host Susan Quinn, author of "Furious Improvisation: How the WPA and a cast of thousands made high art out of desperate times" for a special book and movie presentation surrounding her recently published work detailing the WPA's Federal Theatre Project.

In Quinn's book and in her presentation, the author recaptures those heady years in American theater between 1935 and 1939, including the hard times in which the Federal Theatre Project began, the early sensation of the Living Newspapers, and the later successes, and controversies, surrounding the nationwide production of It Can't Happen Here and the incendiary The Cradle Will Rock. She also examines the underlying motives of Martin Dies, the Texas Congressman who founded the House Un-American Activities Committee and who brought the Federal Theater down by claiming it was a dangerous Communist operation.

The talk, in which Quinn uses rare 1930s archival film footage to illustrate her story, will take place at The Sandra Feinstein- Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. A Q&A session, as well as a book sale and signing, will follow. This event is open to the public at no charge.

To reserve up to 4 seats, please call Tom DiMaggio at 401-723-4266 ext. 10.

For more information visit www.gammtheatre.org