LI actors, local playwright celebrate James Joyce on Tuesday
Irish writer James Joyce's novel "Ulysses" takes place on June 16, 1904. Credit: Getty Images/Hulton Archive
The words of James Joyce will be in full bloom on Tuesday.
A dozen local theater veterans will take turns performing excerpts from the Irish author's master work "Ulysses" for Virtual Bloomsday Long Island, a daylong celebration of Joyce. Always held on Tuesday. In addition, veteran actor Austin Pendleton will appear in the virtual reading of "James Joyce: A Short Night's Odyssey From No to Yes" by Bethpage playwright Joe Beck live from East Hampton's Guild Hall at 8 p.m.
Bloomsday has become an annual worldwide phenomenon that typically features readings and recreations of events from "Ulysses." It is always held on June 16, the day chronicled in the novel and the date of Joyce's first date with his wife-to-be, Nora Barnacle. The Virtual Bloomsday readings will begin at 8 a.m. and continue through 10 p.m. For more details, visit the Virtual Bloomsday Long Island Facebook page.
Beck's "Joyce" play is being presented as a benefit performance for Guild Hall's John Drew Theater. The virtual reading will be followed by a Q&A with Pendleton and the play's creative team. To purchase tickets, which are free but have suggested donations, go to guildhall.org. Ticket holders will then receive an email with a link to the performance.
