With the Department of Theatre and Cinema at Missouri Western State University preparing to present John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” a leading Steinbeck scholar will make two appearances at Missouri Western Oct. 2 and 3.
Dr. Brian Railsback, founding dean of the Honors College at Western Carolina University, co-edited the Library of America’s “John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley and Later Novels” and wrote “Parallel Expeditions: Charles Darwin and the Art of John Steinbeck.” He has lectured frequently at the Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Calif., and in 2012 traveled to the Georgia Republic at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy to speak on Steinbeck’s politics.
At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 in the Potter Hall Art Gallery, Dr. Railsback will do a reading from his novel “A Going Concern,” an apocalyptic novel of decency and hope. He will also talk briefly about his experience using the CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform in Amazon. Dr. Railsback will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase. The reading and book signing is sponsored by the Department of English and Modern Languages.
At approximately 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 in the Potter Hall Theater, following the opening night performance of “Of Mice and Men,” Dr. Railsback will present a Talkback on Steinbeck. “Of Mice and Men” will be presented Oct. 3-11. Tickets are available online at mwsutix.com, by phone at 816-271-4452, or in person at the Potter Hall Box Office.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.