Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center planning epic live-stream reading of 'The Odyssey' with Bebe Neuwirth, Peter Coyote, Feist and more

by · THE OKLAHOMAN
Bebe Neuwirth appears in "Blue Bloods." [CBS photo]

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is embarking on an epic virtual journey at 7 p.m. Aug. 20-22 and Aug. 27-29.

For more than 25 centuries, the human race has been fascinated with and inspired by "The Odyssey," and the nonprofit multidisciplinary arts center now is bringing Odysseus' adventures to life in an online space.

In partnership with the Kirkpatrick Foundation, Oklahoma Contemporary will live-stream a six-day reading series of Emily Wilson’s recent translation of Homer’s "The Odyssey," billed as an "immediate, accessible and boldly contemporary version of the ancient text."

Wilson’s translation is the first English translation of the poem by a woman.

Working with a diverse group of local and national actors, musicians, artists and public officials — including Wilson, Emmy and Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, film actor Peter Coyote, singer-songwriter Feist, Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and more — as readers, Oklahoma Contemporary’s broadcast will include all 24 books of the epic poem.

The presentations will be streamed live on Oklahoma Contemporary's website, on Facebook and on YouTube.

This marathon reading series aims to digitally re-create the experience of listening together to a tale told thousands of times, throughout histories and across continents, according to a news release.

Viewers can virtually drop in to watch a favorite actor, artist or personality (the full schedule is to be announced soon) or follow along book by book each night. Readers include:

  • Octavio Abúndez, Guadalajara-based conceptual artist
  • Ali Ahn, actress known for "Liberal Arts," "Supernatural" and "Louie"
  • heather atone, senior curator at the First Americans Museum
  • Raffi Barsoumian, actor known for "The Code," "The Vampire Diaries" and "Shameless"
  • Bryan Cogman, writer and producer of "Game of Thrones"
  • Bethany Joy Collins, a visual artist whose work has explored "The Odyssey"
  • Peter Coyote, actor ("E.T.," "Erin Brockovich"), author and director
  • David Holt, Oklahoma City mayor
  • Leslie Feist, indie singer-songwriter better known as Feist
  • Ken Hada, poet and professor at East Central University
  • Joseph Keckler, singer, musician, performing artist and writer
  • Muna Malik, Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist
  • Rebecca Nagle, Cherokee writer and host of "This Land" podcast
  • Bebe Neuwirth, Emmy-winning actress ("Jumanji," "Cheers," "Frasier," "Blue Bloods"), singer and dancer
  • Nikki Nice, Oklahoma City councilwoman
  • Nicole Poole, OKC visual and performing artist
  • Lee Ranaldo, musician and co-founder of Sonic Youth
  • Patrick Riley, founder and publisher of The Lost Ogle
  • Robert Ruiz, president of the Scissortail Community Development Corporation
  • Kate Soper, composer, performer and writer
  • Gloria Torres, executive director of Calle Dos Cinco
  • Tom Todoroff, acting coach, actor ("Star Trek: Voyager") and producer
  • Nick Waterhouse, singer, songwriter and record producer
  • Emily Wilson, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellow and translator of "The Odyssey"

For those who want to follow along with their own copy of Wilson's new translation of "The Odyssey," Midtown's Commonplace Books is offering 5 percent off with the code "ODYSSEY" at checkout. Buy yours here.

For more information, go to oklahomacontemporary.org/performance/the-odyssey.

-BAM

Related Photos

Bebe Neuwirth appears in "Blue Bloods." [CBS photo]