Middlebury Community Players Presents Sam and Laura 11/11-14

"I came upon the story of Sam Clemens's youthful romance with Laura Wright while researching my biography, Mark Twain: A Life" says Vermont resident and Pulitzer-prizewinning author Ron Powers.

"I could not get it out of my mind."

The result is a play that follows a 14-year-old girl and her three innocent days on the New Orleans riverfront with the figure destined to become the greatest writer in American history. Laura becomes a recurring dream-figure for the rest of Samuel Clemens' life and inspires his literature. The play, Sam and Laura, will be presented at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater from November 11-14.

"I knew that this story went far beyond the limits of nonfiction," says Powers, who lived in Middlebury for several years. "It had to be a play, so that I could take people inside this haunting dream-existence that Sam and Laura seemed to share. And I still can't get it out of my mind."

Powers hopes to have the play presented in all 50 states during the 175th anniversary of Clemens' birth.

The Middlebury production is the work of the Middlebury Community Players, under the direction of Barbara Harding. Young Laura is played by Haley Robinson, and the character at 80 is played by Jyoti Daniere. Morgan Bernhard plays the young Sam Clemens.

Sam and Laura will run November 11-13 at 8 pm and November 14 at 2 pm. At Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. $17. Tickets: www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sun, noon-5 pm) and at the door.

PHOTO CAPTION: Sam and Laura, by Ron Powers, explores the relationship between a 14-year old girl and the young Mark Twain. November 11-13 at 8 pm, November 14 at 2 pm. $17, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Tickets: www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sun, noon-5 pm) and at the door.

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