Mark Twain’s Wonderful Words

Mark Twain exhorted his readers, “Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover!” These are among the many selections of “wonderful words” to be read by three professional actors from Toma Jama Productions at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:00 pm.

Dressed in traditional Reader's Theater attire (black pants and black shirt), the actors, Tom and Maggie Worsdale and James Dyne, will read selections from Twain’s essays and as characters in works such as The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, and The Diaries Of Adam And Eve.

Born Samuel Clemens in 1835, Mark Twain grew up to become a newspaper reporter and celebrated writer. His time as a riverboat pilot led to his pen name: "mark twain" means the water is safe to navigate. Listeners will be transported back to a hot July evening, 150 years ago, on a glorious riverboat taking a ride down the ol' Mississippi at dusk.

Tom Worsdale has been acting and directing for the past 35 years. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he holds a B.A. from Clemson University in South Carolina and an M.A. from the University of Northern Colorado. He is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. As a Hollywood liaison, he advised on numerous films and helped coordinate Hollywood and celebrity functions associated with the military. Mr. Worsdale worked as producer and coordinator for Jay Leno's shows for the troops overseas and assisted on three Bob Hope events for both the stage and television. Currently, he is the head of public relations at Lakehurst Navel Base in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

James Dyne is a native of London, England and holds a degree in business and graphic design. Mr. Dyne has been associated with the theater for over 30 years designing and building sets for some 40 productions in New York and New Jersey. In his professional life, James is the director of corporate university global operations for a major telecommunications company.

Maggie Worsdale is a native of Hightstown, NJ and holds a B.A. in English and Theater from Marietta College, Marietta Ohio. She is an international cabaret singer and has worked with Bob Hope and George Burns. Having lived all over the country with her Air Force husband, Ms. Worsdale has done professional theater from coast to coast. She is now touring the country in a two-woman musical show, THE GAUDY GIRLS: Starring Mae West and Sophie Tucker.

There is no charge to attend the library program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up. This show is appropriate for ages ten and older.