You're Never Too Old to Be Read To (or end sentences with prepositions)

This morning, I got a call from Robert Olen Butler. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for his collection of Vietnam short stories, Good Scent From a Strange Mountain. When he said, "This is Robert Olen Butler," I almost dropped my martini.
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The event, co-produced by James River Writers and Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen (in support of the READ Center), went very well. VALL features Virginia actors reading short stories by Virginia writers, accompanied by Virginia Musicians. I founded the event in 2004, so this was the 7th incarnation. My guest host was Most people know Pat for voicing Ursula the sea witch in The Little Mermaid. She first endeared herself to Richmond audiences in "Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein" at Barksdale Theatre Hanover Tavern, then took two turns playing Mother Superior in the wacky musical, Nunsense.  I was very fortunate to co-star with Pat when Theatre IV produced "Grace and Glorie." I learned more from being on stage with Pat Carroll than any amount of schooling could have taught me. I watched her get a huge laugh just by raising one eyebrow. And then she got another huge laugh just by putting it back down again. When Tim Kaine was mayor, he presented Pat with a bronze seal of the city, which made her an honorary citizen, and commemorated her many contributions to the art and cultural life of Richmond.
The evening began with Tony Foley reading Olen Butler's story, "Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot." The title says it all. Tony was spot on with his parrot-like movements and vocalizations. His comic timing was impeccable. He was so good Pat asked him to take another bow.
Jill Bari Steinberg read "Jonas" by Belle Boggs, about a middle aged woman coming to terms with her husband's decision to get a sex-change operation. The story itself is pitch perfect, but Jill Bari's performance was sensitive and skillfully nuanced.


Pat Carroll read last—for thirty-three glorious minutes her audience was taken by a consummate veteran performer for a ride they will not soon forget.

Accompanying all the performances was Kelly Kennedy on piano, Andy Cleveland on violin, and Rachael Blake on flute.

During the reception afterward, Pat signed CDs of The Best of Virginia Arts & Letters LIVE, which were available for purchase. 


Pat is looking for a play that she and her daughter, actor
If you were at VALL on Friday night, thanks for coming out. If you weren't I hope you'll attend next year. You're never to old to be read to, especially if by talented actors reading richly rewarded stories by Virginia writers,  accompanied by great musicians.  @font-face { font-family: "Times";}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.S