Posted: September, 2006
Randall Balmer, “Growing Pains: Learning to Love My Father’s Faith.” Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 1 of 4
A Dick Staub Interview (Segment 1 of 4). Here is your chance to get acquainted with Randall Balmer, as we discuss his spiritual memoir, Growing Pains: Learning to Love My Father’s Faith. Randall is the Ann Whitney Olin Professor of American Religion at Barnard College, Columbia University, earned the Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1985. His book, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, was made into a three-part documentary for PBS. Dr. Balmer was nominated for an Emmy for his script-writing on that series. He has been a visiting professor at Rutgers, Yale, Drew, Princeton, and Northwestern universities and at Union Theological Seminary, where he is also an adjunct professor.
“Mitzi’s Abortion,” Hostile Talk and Reasonable Discourse in An Argument Culture.†Podcast: Live At Hales Segment 3 of 3
(Segment 3 of 3). How do we talk about controversial subjects in a pluralistic age given to hostile talk and not reasonable discourse? Does theatre offer unique opportunities for more complex, multilayered viewpoints? The Kindlings Muse roundtable includes Elizabeth Heffron, playwright whose Mitzi’s Abortion caused quite a stir in ACT Theatre’s 2006 season. Also joining us are Pam Nolte, Seattle actor and co-founder of Taproot Theatre, and Dr. George Scranton Theatre Professor at Seattle Pacific University.
Here is the storyline as described by ACT Theatre. “Mitzi’s Abortion is a surprising and compassionate play about a young woman confronting one of life’s most difficult and deeply personal decisions in a system determined to make it a political one.Facing a surprise pregnancy, Mitzi embraces motherhood and a future with her baby’s father. But when complications collide with deeply-held beliefs, insurance regulations, and varying reactions from those she loves, Mitzi’s world is thrown into chaos. As her family and friends try to comfort her in the face of their own discomfort, Saint Thomas Aquinas and a 17th-century midwife join the fray to give Mitzi unexpected support. With humor and honesty, this stunning new play takes a multifaceted look at an extraordinarily powerful and contemporary question.”
Capital Hill Times said: Playwright Elizabeth Heffron has taken one of today’s most volatile topics and tried courageously to present its complexity without making her play a harangue.
Seattle PI said: “The magic of theater” is a phrase that can mean a lot of different things. In the case of “Mitzi’s Abortion” it means “welcoming unwelcome thoughts and feelings.” The play is receiving its premiere production at ACT Theatre. It is powerful. Seattle playwright Elizabeth Heffron deals with two troubling subjects: a genetically defective fetus and a late-term abortion. Much public discourse on these subjects avoids thought and feeling by means of bluster and dogma. Heffron takes the opposite approach. She cultivates thought and feeling by creating engaging characters who grapple with tough issues. Empathy is pretty much automatic.
Seattle Times said: Anyone looking for an ideological rallying cry in Elizabeth Heffron’s play “Mitzi’s Abortion” won’t find one. Instead, you’ll get an even-handed, ambitious yet jumbled and ungainly tragicomedy ” which, almost in spite of itself, manages to break your heart anyway.
“Mitzi’s Abortion,” Hostile Talk and Reasonable Discourse in An Argument Culture.” Podcast: Live At Hales Segment 2 of 3
(Segment 2 of 3). How do we talk about controversial subjects in a pluralistic age given to hostile talk and not reasonable discourse? Does theatre offer unique opportunities for more complex, multilayered viewpoints? This The Kindlings Muse roundtable includes Elizabeth Heffron, playwright whose Mitzi’s Abortion caused quite a stir in ACT Theatre’s 2006 season. Also joining us are Pam Nolte, Seattle actor and co-founder of Taproot Theatre, and Dr. George Scranton Theatre Professor at Seattle Pacific University.
Here is the storyline as described by ACT Theatre. “Mitzi’s Abortion is a surprising and compassionate play about a young woman confronting one of life’s most difficult and deeply personal decisions in a system determined to make it a political one.Facing a surprise pregnancy, Mitzi embraces motherhood and a future with her baby’s father. But when complications collide with deeply-held beliefs, insurance regulations, and varying reactions from those she loves, Mitzi’s world is thrown into chaos. As her family and friends try to comfort her in the face of their own discomfort, Saint Thomas Aquinas and a 17th-century midwife join the fray to give Mitzi unexpected support. With humor and honesty, this stunning new play takes a multifaceted look at an extraordinarily powerful and contemporary question.”
Capital Hill Times said: Playwright Elizabeth Heffron has taken one of today’s most volatile topics and tried courageously to present its complexity without making her play a harangue.
Seattle PI said: “The magic of theater” is a phrase that can mean a lot of different things. In the case of “Mitzi’s Abortion” it means “welcoming unwelcome thoughts and feelings.” The play is receiving its premiere production at ACT Theatre. It is powerful. Seattle playwright Elizabeth Heffron deals with two troubling subjects: a genetically defective fetus and a late-term abortion. Much public discourse on these subjects avoids thought and feeling by means of bluster and dogma. Heffron takes the opposite approach. She cultivates thought and feeling by creating engaging characters who grapple with tough issues. Empathy is pretty much automatic.
Seattle Times said: Anyone looking for an ideological rallying cry in Elizabeth Heffron’s play “Mitzi’s Abortion” won’t find one. Instead, you’ll get an even-handed, ambitious yet jumbled and ungainly tragicomedy ” which, almost in spite of itself, manages to break your heart anyway.
Mitzi’s Abortion, Hostile Talk and Reasonable Discourse in An Argument Culture.” Podcast: Live At Hales Segment 1 of 3
How do we talk about controversial subjects in a pluralistic age given to hostile talk and not reasonable discourse? Does theatre offer unique opportunities for more complex, multilayered viewpoints? The Kindlings Muse roundtable includes Elizabeth Heffron, playwright whose Mitzi’s Abortion caused quite a stir in ACT Theatre’s 2006 season. Also joining us are Pam Nolte, Seattle actor and co-founder of Taproot Theatre, and Dr. George Scranton, Theatre Professor at Seattle Pacific University. Here is the storyline as described by ACT Theatre. “Mitzi’s Abortion is a surprising and compassionate play about a young woman confronting one of life’s most difficult and deeply personal decisions in a system determined to make it a political one.Facing a surprise pregnancy, Mitzi embraces motherhood and a future with her baby’s father. But when complications collide with deeply-held beliefs, insurance regulations, and varying reactions from those she loves, Mitzi’s world is thrown into chaos. As her family and friends try to comfort her in the face of their own discomfort, Saint Thomas Aquinas and a 17th-century midwife join the fray to give Mitzi unexpected support. With humor and honesty, this stunning new play takes a multifaceted look at an extraordinarily powerful and contemporary question.”
Edward Jones, “All Aunt Hagar’s Children.” Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 4 of 4
A Dick Staub Interview (Segment 4 of 4). Edward Jones is the prototypical literary overnight success. Having burst on the scene with a critically acclaimed but financially unrewarding collection of short stories, his next effort, The Known World followed years later and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, National book critics Circle Award and numerous other honors. In 2006 he released his new collection of short stories, All Aunt Hagar’s Children. Enjoy!
Edward Jones, “All Aunt Hagar’s Children.” Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 3 of 4
A Dick Staub Interview (Segment 3 of 4). Edward Jones is the prototypical literary overnight success. Having burst on the scene with a critically acclaimed but financially unrewarding collection of short stories, his next effort, The Known World followed years later and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, National book critics Circle Award and numerous other honors. In 2006 he released his new collection of short stories, All Aunt Hagar’s Children. Enjoy!
Edward Jones, “All Aunt Hagar’s Children.” Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 2 of 4
A Dick Staub Interview (Segment 2 of 4). Edward Jones is the prototypical literary overnight success. Having burst on the scene with a critically acclaimed but financially unrewarding collection of short stories, his next effort, The Known World followed years later and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, National book critics Circle Award and numerous other honors. In 2006 he released his new collection of short stories, All Aunt Hagar’s Children. Enjoy!
Edward Jones, “All Aunt Hagar’s Children.” Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 1 of 4
A Dick Staub Interview (Segment 1 of 4). Edward Jones is the prototypical literary overnight success. Having burst on the scene with a critically acclaimed but financially unrewarding collection of short stories, his next effort, The Known World followed years later and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, National book critics Circle Award and numerous other honors. In 2006 he released his new collection of short stories, All Aunt Hagar’s Children. Enjoy!
The Theology of Paul Simon in the album “Surprise.”Podcast: Live At Hales Segment 3 of 3
While from youth Paul Simon’s real passion was rock and roll, his degree in English lit and literary bent found expression in his thoughtful lyrics throughout his songwriting career. Starting with “Sounds of Silence” Simon’s poetic lyrics explored the interior life and raised the big questions about human existence: Who are we? What is our Purpose? Where is God? His album “Surprise” was written after 911 and his 60th birthday party and reflects his continued pursuit of the big questions. Hear them discussed at The Kindlings Muse with our panel: actor Candace Vance, theologian Greg Gorsuch, radio host and gadfly Bill Hogg and a live audience at Hales Ales Brewery and Pub in Seattle. To view the lyrics click here.
The Theology of Paul Simon in the album “Surprise.” Podcast: Live At Hales Segment 2 of 3
While from youth Paul Simon’s real passion was rock and roll, his degree in English lit and literary bent found expression in his thoughtful lyrics throughout his songwriting career. Starting with “Sounds of Silence” Simon’s poetic lyrics explored the interior life and raised the big questions about human existence: Who are we? What is our Purpose? Where is God? His album “Surprise” was written after 911 and his 60th birthday party and reflects his continued pursuit of the big questions. Hear them discussed at The Kindlings Muse with our panel: actor Candace Vance, theologian Greg Gorsuch, radio host and gadfly Bill Hogg and a live audience at Hales Ales Brewery and Pub in Seattle. To view the lyrics click here.
