Upcoming Talks
Joel Grey
Monday, June 9, 2025 11:00AM
Joel Grey:
Master of Ceremonies
Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence, NY
Virtual Event
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7212073003?pwd=c1orTzlKSnY5aHpBK2JhRENJU1dDdz09
Joel Grey is an actor, singer dancer and director best known for his portrayal of the Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret. Born in to a show business family, Grey began acting on stage at age 9 at the Cleveland Playhouse before rising to fame in musicals on Broadway. He is one of ten people to have won both the Tony Award and Academy Award for playing the same role on Broadway and film, and his Emcee in Cabaret has become an iconic performance. Grey performed in musicals, films and on television, both as a leading man and a character actor and his seven decade career continues as the director of the acclaimed stage production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. The multi-talented Joel Grey remains a respected talent and a symbol of elegance and class.
Robert Merrill
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 2:00PM
From Brooklyn to the MET:
Robert Merrill
Plainview-Old Bethpage Library, Plainview, NY
In-Person Event
poblib.librarycalendar.com/event/brooklyn-met-robert-merrill-person-lecture-56802
Brooklyn born Robert Merrill was one of the first major operatic stars to be American born and trained. Choosing opera over a career in baseball, he became one of the world’s greatest baritones. Though the MET was his creative home for 30 seasons, he also appeared around the globe, and broadened the reach of opera through his numerous appearances on television variety shows. Merrill remains popular as much for his opera and musical theatre recordings that showcase his smooth powerful baritone as for his version of the National Anthem which is still played at Yankee Stadium.
Gene Hackman
Friday, June 13, 2025 2:00PM
Gene Hackman:
Honest & Natural
Jericho Public Library, Jericho, NY
Virtual Event
www.jericholibrary.org/event/great-performers-marc-courtade-73506
Gene Hackman is a retired actor with a career that spanned over 60 years. He received two Academy Awards, one a Best Actor, one as Best Supporting Actor, and had three other nominations. From his early career on stage and television, he said he was trained to be an actor, not a star. His best roles continued to be playing ordinary people even as his fame increased. Happily retired, Hackman’s performances remind us of the quality a great actor can bring to films.
Montgomery Clift
Thursday, June 26, 2025 7:00PM
Montgomery Clift:
Sensual and Vulnerable
Milburn Free Public Library, Milburn, NJ
Virtual Event
millburnlibrary.libcal.com/event/14360633
Montgomery Clift is an American actor who is noted for playing moody and sensitive characters. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Clift began acting on Broadway at a young age, studying his craft by working with accomplished actors. He was one of the first actors to be invited to study at the Actors Studio, and was one of the first method actors in Hollywood. He had unorthodox attitudes towards Hollywood and success, claiming he was trying to be an actor, not a movie star. He only made 17 films, but many of them are still widely viewed and well respected. This talk will examine Clift’s legacy and showcase the actor in the memorable roles that are still considered “brilliant in every way.”