2nd Floor Getty Gallery, Central Library 10:00am – 5:30pm
The words of the poet Homer were originally spoken aloud to rapt audiences who sat spellbound by tales of kings and heroes, battles and sorrow, from the temptation of the Sirens’ song to the moving reunion of the hero and his family. Relive the experience of this oral tradition at the historic Central Library in downtown Los Angeles!
The reading features Stanley Lombardo’s recent translation of the Odyssey(Hackett 2000), a New York Times Notable Book.
Actors Cloris Leachman, Rhea Perlman, Bradley Whitford, Susan Sullivan, Roger Guenveur Smith, and Annie Saunders; musicians Lisa Loeb and Lol Tolhurst; magician Ricky Jay; KCRW traffic reporter Kajon Cermak; and others will be among the nearly 200 members of our community to read through all 12,000 lines of the poem over the course of the day. The voice of Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) will provide running commentary, abridging the epic poem for the audience.
Bring the entire family and enjoy an Odyssey puppet show in the Story Theater or craft your own puppet inspired by the epic in the breathtaking Rotunda!
Puppet Shows in KLOS Story Theater (located in the Children’s Literature section)
11:30AM, 2PM, 4PM
Puppet shows are 30 minutes long, and suitable for children ages 4 and up.
Odyssey crafts in the Rodwrick M. Cook Rotunda
Noon-5PM