John Kevin Jones returns to the Merchant's House Museum with Whitman in Love - Live Oak, with Moss & Other Poems beginning June 21. There will be four performances through June 24 of Walt Whitman's poetry in the downtown venue's garden.
Known for performing A Christmas Carol over the last decade at the museum, Jones isreading works from the artist's early 12-poem series Live Oak, with Moss, which was discovered decades after Whitman passed. The unrevised poems give insights into Whitman's vulnerability and emotions as he opens up about an intimate love affair with another man. Whitman often spent time in downtown New York City, particularly Pfaff's beer cellar on Broadway at Bleecker Street which led to him meeting his love and muse Fred Vaughan.
With only 40 seats per performance, Whitman in Love is being presented as part of a summer garden party complete with wine and light beverages offered in the garden, with a rain plan set for the museum's grand Greek-Revival parlor.
Post-show talkbacks are being held June 23 and 24.
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