Michele LaRue resurrects vintage voices at NCRL performances

Michele LaRue resurrects vintage voices at NCRL performances
By Mike Maltais
Staff writer

PATEROS – The Pateros Public Library will be one among nine North Central Regional Library branches that will host performances by professional actress Michele LaRue over a 10-day period from April 26 through May 5.
LaRue is bringing her one-woman repertoire of narratives from some of America’s great story-tellers to the Pateros Public Library at 3:30 p.m., Friday, April 27. LaRue will perform two stories, The Apple Tree and A Pair of Silk Stockings from her selection of 30 Tales Well Told.
The Apple Tree is described as “a comic celebration of spring and poor housekeeping,” and “the collusion of two very different couples – one obsessively good at housekeeping and the other not so much,” according to an NCRL media release. Written by Mary El Wilkins Freeman in 1903, The Apple Tree “reveals the true value of a glorious spring day,” the NCRL release said.
LaRue’s second performance, A Pair of Silk Stockings, written by late 19th Century author Kate Chopin, tells the story of Mrs. Sommers who devotes the day to spending an unexpected windfall of money on herself rather than her family.
LaRue said her stories take the listener back to a time when “literature was written for the ear.”
“Long before radio, family members and friends shared stories aloud – reading by kerosene lamp in farm houses, or by gaslight in Victorian parlors,” said LaRue. “Over the years, during my performances, I’ve seen contemporary adults light up like children hearing a new story. Despite TV and films, the internet and special effects, we still crave to simply listen to a tale well told.”
LaRue will also perform at the following NCRL locations:
April 26, 6 p.m., Twisp Public Library, The Apple Tree and A Pair of Silk Stockings.
April 28, 3:30 p.m., Tonasket Public Library, Gettysburg.
April 29, 2:30 p.m., Omak Public Library, Someone Must Wash the Dishes.
April 30, 6 p.m., Quincy Public Library, Someone Must Wash the Dishes.
May 1, 7 p.m., Chelan Public Library, The Apple Tree and A Pair of Silk Stockings.
May 3, 1 p.m., Cashmere Public Library, Someone Must Wash the Dishes.
May 4, 10 a.m., Waterville Public Library, Someone Must Wash the Dishes.
May 5, 11 a.m., Soap Lake Public Library, Someone Must Wash the Dishes.
LaRue will also perform The Apple Tree on the Apple Blossom Festival stage, Memorial Park, Wenatchee, at 1 p.m. May 2.
For more information about LaRue, visit www.michelelarue.com. For more information about her library programs, contact Kim Neher at 663-1117, ext. 141