Comments and Reviews from Performances

Lorraine Paesano and Mary Frayne, Librarians, Middle Country Public Library: "It's too bad we had time constraints; our whole group would have loved to hear more.  The accents, the shifting of characters, the musical accompaniment – all added to a magical reading.  [The reading brought] Snow in August to life for us."

Patti Paris, Adult Services, Bellmore Memorial Library: "This was an excellent program holding the audience's rapt attention.  Matt Stashin and David Houston made the characters in the book come alive.  We look forward to having another program with Houston in the fall (readings from the stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer)."

Marcia Johnson, Program Coordinator, North Shore Public Library, Shoreham: "Both performers were well prepared, relaxed and professional.  Mr. Houston's adaptation of the book into the style of an old-time radio broadcast, complete with music underscoring, was deftly done.  Finally, the accents effectively delineated the many characters portrayed."

Millie Scott, Librarian and Book Discussion Coordinator, West Babylon Public Library: "It was everything we expected.  You have done a program for us before, and the Book Club was looking forward to your return.  The members enjoyed the performance very much."

Beth Saltalamacchio, Cultural Program Specialist, Plainview Old Bethpage Library: "This program gave me a better sense of the whole book than I thought was possible.  The segments were well planned, and the actors did a wonderful job creating characters and voices.  The background music added to the creation of an atmosphere."

Evelyn Pusinelli, Program Coordinator, Hicksville Public Library: "The audience was enthralled with the reading; the presentation held their attention.  Excellent."

Jude Schanzer, East Meadow Public Library: Excellent rating in all categories and this succinct comment: "Wonderful!"

Barbara Minard, Program Director, Shelter Rock Public Library: "The performance was much more than I expected.  Music selections augmented the reading perfectly.  Foreign accents beautifully transported the audience to a different time and place.  All in all, it was relaxing, entertaining, and very professional."

Marjorie Shuster, Program Director, Merrick Public Library (at Bellmore Library): "A fabulous fascinating program, very well done; I loved it."  Rated "excellent" in all evaluation categories.

Pat Brandt, Program Director, John Jermain Library in Sag Harbor:  "Excellent audience response; from some of them as they left: 'Very good!', 'I really enjoyed it,' 'A very sweet adaptation,' 'Too bad more people couldn't have seen this; it was very well done,' 'Very professional for such a small space.'"

Barbara Sussman, Adult Reference Librarian, Port Jefferson Free Library: "The feedback was all positive.  Another excellent program."