An Afternoon with Mark Twain Comes to the Manatee Players 1/26

Kurt Sutton returns as Mark Twain to the Manatee Players on Wednesday January 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 including facility fee for adults and $10 including facility fee for students. Tickets may be reserved by calling 748-5875 Monday - Friday from 9-5 and one hour before curtain on performance days or on the Manatee Players' website: www.manateeplayers.com . The Manatee Players are located at 102 Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton.

The performance is presented in the setting of Samuel Clemens' parlor. Mr. Clemens will share Mark Twain's funny witticism, wisdom and humor. And encourages you to sing-a-long with the songs sung in his parlor when entertaining his family and friends.

Sam Clemens learned to play from the traveling minstrel shows touring around the south, featuring old negro spirituals and ragtime. During his gold mining days in Nevada he played banjo, guitar and harmonica to entertain fellow miners. "Darling Clementine" was a huge hit and a soothing balm for the lonely gold miners.

Clemens' wife Livy loved to hear him play and sing in their parlor, All of Clemens' life he sang jubilee and "popular" songs for Livy, the children and famous friends and neighbors..
In 1904 Livy's health was getting progressively worse. She was advised to keep a distance from Sam, and the couple went months without seeing each other. One night as Sam was playing "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"., Livy's life slipped away without a sound. Clemens rarely played after that but he always treasured the joy his music brought to his family.

Mr. Clemens holds the option to play during the performance. That is if the spirit moves him, and it seems to frequently. Should he play, he requests you clap along to help the rhythm and improve the sound. Should he begin to sing please sing-a-long to improve the noise.

 

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