Olney Theatre, HBO, and Fall For the Book

So I'm going to be using a slightly different format for the blog for a while. I won't be posting everyday (these days are busy). Today I'm going to name three really cool upcoming or ongoing things that have all come to my attention today.

First,
Tomorrow night, Feb. 21 at 8 PM, the film “Taking Chance,” based on a memoir from the Operation Homecoming anthology, will premiere on HBO. Starring Kevin Bacon, the film is also an Official Selection for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Written by Col. Mike Strobl, USMC (ret.), the memoir recounts the escorting of the remains of a Marine killed in combat in Iraq to his burial in his hometown. Strobl, who co-wrote the screenplay, is played by Bacon. Strobl’s memoir was published in magazines, newspapers, online, and later in NEA's Operation Homecoming anthology. The memoir is not available at this time as a stand-alone book; our anthology is the best source if you wish to read the work. Separately, this memoir was included in the Academy-Award finalist documentary Operation Homecoming, read by Robert Duvall.

HBO has developed a Web site for the “Taking Chance” film: http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/

Second, exciting news for Writer's Center members. We've formed a partnership with Olney Theater in Olney, MD. Check out Mark Twain’s only play, with a discount!



Jean-Francois Millet is a brilliant but unrecognized artist who can't sell a painting to save his life. With the help of his madcap bohemian friends, Jean decides to stage his own demise to revive sales. However, in order to keep an eye on his success, he re-emerges as his imaginary twin sister. Authored by Mark Twain in 1898, this play was recently discovered by Shelley Fisher Fishkin and updated by David Ives. Join Olney for a farce that will have you laughing loud enough to wake the dead.

A WASHINGTON-AREA PREMIERE!

Special offer for Writer’s Center members: Take $10 your ticket! Use code WXC219 online at www.olneytheatre.org or with the Box Office at 301.924.3400 and save $10 on each ticket you order. Limit 4.

(Restrictions: Not valid on previous purchases; cannot be combined with other offers; subject to availability).

Third, and last, Fall for the Book at George Mason University is hosting a discussion forum over at its Web site. Do check it out right here: http://fallforthebook.org/.