Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Dr. Mark Vonnegut: East of Eden Express

Below, Indianapolis reporter Jim Walker did a nice job conveying Mark Vonnegut's emotional speech that his father was supposed to deliver at Butler University.

Here is a link and excerpt:

Mark Vonnegut, who joked that he sometimes channels his father, Kurt Vonnegut, delivered an emotional and pointed stand-up routine Friday night, reinforcing the legacy of the venerable Hoosier author.

"It's Spooky": Mark Vonnegut gave a speech written by his father, Kurt Vonnegut, weeks before his death, and said he felt his dad knew it would turn out that way. "He doesn't usually work this far ahead. And, the next day after he wrote it, he wrote instructions for me."

A speech, written by Kurt Vonnegut just weeks before his death on April 11 at age 84, was presented by Vonnegut's son to an enthusiastic crowd of 1,078 people in Butler University's Clowes Memorial Hall.
The author's words took a variety of swipes, from President Bush to IUPUI's initial-filled name to writers using unnecessary semicolons.
Kurt Vonnegut even poked fun in the speech at his own mortality: "I'm suing the makers of Pall Mall cigarettes for breach of promise because they did not kill me," he wrote.
But the speech of the often-sardonic author of "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Breakfast of Champions" also revealed his love for Indianapolis, his family, jazz -- calling it "safe sex of the highest order" -- and a fellow Indianapolis writer, Booth Tarkington, who died in 1946.
"His nickname is one that I would have given anything to have: 'The Gentleman from Indiana,' " Mark Vonnegut, a pediatrician from Milton, Mass., read, fighting back tears in one of several emotional moments of the evening.
Kurt Vonnegut's speech also expressed concerns about the environment and praised the accomplishments of black Americans despite the burden of racism.
After finishing the 30-minute routine, Mark Vonnegut chatted with the audience for a few minutes.
Then, he said he felt his father knew who would deliver the speech. "It's spooky. He doesn't usually work this far ahead," he said. "And, the next day after he wrote it, he wrote instructions for me."

2 comments:

Actors' Studio said...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 31, 2008

For more information, please contact:
Julie Layton
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
(314) 458-2978
julie@the-11.com

ST. LOUIS ACTORS’ STUDIO PROUDLY PRESENTS
AN EVENING WITH DR. MARK VONNEGUT
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.’s son to speak about his late father for one night only

WHAT: St. Louis Actors’ Studio is honored to bring Dr. Mark Vonnegut to St. Louis to present “Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.: His Life, Art & Politics” for one night only—Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, 8 p.m.—at The Ethical Society. Dr. Vonnegut will read pieces of his father’s writings, present his fine art and discuss his ideologies and political viewpoints. “Kurt Vonnegut has had a life-long impact on me. Not since Mark Twain, have we had an American writer and humorist care so much about this country and our place in history. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. fought for us in WWII and every time he sat behind the typewriter. We are very proud to present this evening as part of our “Power and Politics” season” says William Roth, founder and producing director of the St. Louis Actors’ Studio.

Dr. Vonnegut, notable on his own merits for having written “The Eden Express” in 1975 about this own battle with mental illness that went on to help others understand the disease, is currently a pediatrician practicing in Massachusetts.

St. Louis Actors' Studio (STLAS), founded by William Roth, Milton Zoth and David Wassilak, strives to bring a fresh vision to theatre in St. Louis. Housed in The Gaslight Theater, a new venue in historic Gaslight Square, STLAS is committed to bringing engaging theatrical experiences to our community of actors, writers, producers, filmmakers and all patrons of the arts; and to provide a strong ensemble environment to foster learning and artistic expression.

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5
8 p.m.

WHERE: The Ethical Society
Main Auditorium
9001 Clayton Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63117

TICKETS: Adults - $15
Students (with a valid ID) and seniors (65+) - $10

Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers or Charge by Phone at 314.421.4400. Tickets will also be available at the Venue box office one hour prior to performances.

For more information on St. Louis Actors’ Studio, please visit

Unknown said...

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