Hal Holbrook to Perform, "Mark Twain Tonight!" in Hannibal on May 8

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 March 2011 17:19 Tuesday, 08 June 2010 18:59

Hal Holbrook will appear in his legendary stage performance “Mark Twain Tonight!” at Hannibal High School on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.  The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is sponsoring the event.  Tickets go on sale Friday, April 9 at the Museum and can be purchased by calling 573-221-9010, ext. 404.  Ticket prices range from $35 to $100.

Holbrook, who serves as a member of the Museum’s Advisory Board, has been performing as Mark Twain since 1954.  This means he has been portraying “Mark Twain” longer (56 years) than Sam Clemens was known as “Mark Twain” (47 years).  Holbrook’s performances sell out to audiences around the world, and he is booked solid in 2010, “The Year of Mark Twain.”

“We are immeasurably proud to host Hal Holbrook in Sam Clemens’ hometown,” said Museum director, Dr. Cindy Lovell.  “Mr. Holbrook has been an enthusiastic and gracious supporter of the Museum’s efforts, and we are very excited about welcoming him back to Hannibal.”

Holbrook’s acting career is widely known.  He has appeared in countless stage productions, television shows and some 40 movies.  Holbrook has received wide critical acclaim for his range of roles and numerous accolades including the National Humanities Medal in 2003 and the William Shakespeare Award from the Shakespeare Theatre in 1998.  He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in “Into the Wild” in 2007, has earned 8 Emmy awards and has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from six universities.

His performance in Hannibal is one of many events planned to celebrate 2010, “The Year of Mark Twain.”  This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Twain’s death on April 21 and the 175^th anniversary of his birth on November 30.  Other events are listed on the Museum’s website, www.marktwainmuseum.org.