Education & Outreach: Mark Kudish – Mark Twain Shouldn’t Say Such Things, Student Matinee
BUY TICKETSSeptember 5 @ 10:30 am
Mark Twain Shouldn’t Say Such Things is a live, solo show starring Marc Kudisch, directed by Dick Scanlan, and written by Kudisch and Scanlan. It dramatizes a moment in Mark Twain’s life when he reconciled the depth of his own convictions about race with his wily knack for provoking while avoiding controversy.
In 1885, Mark Twain published Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. To promote the book, he went on tour, alternating his trademark humor with dramatic readings from Huck Finn. Sharing the bill was George Washington Cable, a Louisiana-born writer whose recent novel about race relations in New Orleans was the success every writer dreams of.
During the tour, Cable published an in-your-face anti-racist essay, the response to which was so vitriolic, Cable’s family had to relocate north… and Twain was left alone to entertain audiences and ask himself when it comes to race, was he part of the problem or part of the solution—only to realize that, like many of us, he’s part of both.
Unlike previous plays about Mark Twain, this is not hagiography, but a historically accurate narrative about a human being. It’s exciting to watch an uncharacteristically flummoxed Twain examine before the audience’s eyes the performative nature of what today might be called his allyship, in contrast to Cable’s willingness to forsake his burgeoning celebrity to stand up for what he believes. For most of the play, Kudisch portrays Twain, transforming into George Cable for the final minutes as we time travel to Twain’s memorial.
Co-Presented with Theatre Aspen
Attendance by students outside the recommended grade or age range for each Student Matinee may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Wheeler Opera House reserves the right to approve or decline such requests based on content suitability, program objectives, and seating availability.
Please note: Submitting a ticket request through our website does not guarantee admission. This information submitted is a request only. You will receive a confirmation email if your request is approved and seats are secured.
If you have any questions or need assistance with signing up, please call or email Malia Machado at (970) 309-9407 or malia.machado@aspen.gov.
In 1885, Mark Twain published Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. To promote the book, he went on tour, alternating his trademark humor with dramatic readings from Huck Finn. Sharing the bill was George Washington Cable, a Louisiana-born writer whose recent novel about race relations in New Orleans was the success every writer dreams of.
During the tour, Cable published an in-your-face anti-racist essay, the response to which was so vitriolic, Cable’s family had to relocate north… and Twain was left alone to entertain audiences and ask himself when it comes to race, was he part of the problem or part of the solution—only to realize that, like many of us, he’s part of both.
Unlike previous plays about Mark Twain, this is not hagiography, but a historically accurate narrative about a human being. It’s exciting to watch an uncharacteristically flummoxed Twain examine before the audience’s eyes the performative nature of what today might be called his allyship, in contrast to Cable’s willingness to forsake his burgeoning celebrity to stand up for what he believes. For most of the play, Kudisch portrays Twain, transforming into George Cable for the final minutes as we time travel to Twain’s memorial.
Co-Presented with Theatre Aspen
Attendance by students outside the recommended grade or age range for each Student Matinee may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Wheeler Opera House reserves the right to approve or decline such requests based on content suitability, program objectives, and seating availability.
Please note: Submitting a ticket request through our website does not guarantee admission. This information submitted is a request only. You will receive a confirmation email if your request is approved and seats are secured.
If you have any questions or need assistance with signing up, please call or email Malia Machado at (970) 309-9407 or malia.machado@aspen.gov.