Stephen Collins portrays Walt Whitman at Dover Public Library on May 15

posted on: 5/7/2018

The Friends of the Dover Public Library are once again pleased to host actor and stage performer Stephen Collins on Tuesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. in the Library’s Lecture Hall. His one-man show, “Unlaunch’d Voices: an Evening with Walt Whitman” opens as the elderly Whitman celebrates his 70th birthday. He begins to reminisce and to question his success as a man and a poet. He recalls a mystical experience in his 37th year that inspired him to write poetry.

As the performance continues, Whitman transforms into his younger self and we learn the story behind his seminal work, “Leaves of Grass”. He explores his preoccupation with the self and his struggles with his sexuality.

In the second part of the performance, Whitman’s life is changed forever by the Civil War. He discovers his life’s most important work: nursing the wounded soldiers in hospitals. Through his poetry and readings, we see Whitman grow into a mature artist who is at peace with himself, God, and death.

“Unlaunch’d Voices” relies on as much of Walt’s actual words and dialogue as possible. Whitman made invaluable contributions to modern poetry and free verse. His worth lies in his humanity, his individuality, his struggles, and his joyfully inclusive view of life. Stephen Collins as Walt Whitman will leave the audience with new insight into this great man and great poet, and with an appreciation of Whitman as an eternally free spirit.

Join the Library for this free theatrical performance.

For more information, call (603) 516-6050.