JOHN STEINBECK: LIFE AND LITERATURE

Description

For more than six decades, Castro Valley has been the backdrop for Tom Lorentzen’s life—and, in many ways, the inspiration for his work as a storyteller. Now, the longtime Castro Valley resident is bringing one of California’s greatest writers back to life. In his presentation, “John Steinbeck: Life as Literature in Castro Valley,” Lorentzen portrays the legendary author as he returns to California to reflect on literature, humanity and the world around us.

Steinbeck, a native of nearby Salinas, won both the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature. In his 1962 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, he spoke of the profound importance of storytelling and literature to the human experience. Those themes are at the heart of Lorentzen’s performance.

Lorentzen is no stranger to the stage. He has portrayed Steinbeck at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, the Firehouse Theater in Pleasanton, the historic Dangberg Ranch in Nevada and the Family Club in San Francisco.

A lifelong Castro Valley resident, Lorentzen attended local schools before earning degrees from Chabot College, California State University, East Bay and the University of Nevada, Reno. His career included appointed positions under three U.S. presidents, as well as Senate confirmation to the National Board of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Yet Castro Valley has remained his home and his storytelling canvas. Today, Lorentzen teaches through Long Island University’s Hutton House Lecture Program and writes a bi-weekly column for the Castro Valley Forum.

It is fitting that Castro Valley’s own bard should give voice to one of California’s most enduring storytellers.

All tickets are $10 and available at the door. For advanced purchase: cvartsfoundation.org or call 510-889-8961. Wheelchair accessible.  Free parking.