Playhouse to present Jewell in ‘Mark Twain at Large’

CBJ Admin
Tuesday, Apr 17, 2012

CROSSVILLE – In 1974, Ron Jewell first assumed the likeness of writer Samuel Clemens. Soon after, Jewell found himself on the road touring full-time as his alter ego, Mark Twain. That tour lasted more than 30 weeks and included some 300 performances throughout the Midwest. Since those days, Jewell has completed some 2,000 appearances in over half the states of the U.S.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21, in the Adventure Theater at the Cumberland County Playhouse, Jewell once again don the famous white suit of America’s most beloved humorist and returns to the Playhouse in “Mark Twain At Large.”

“Mark Twain At Large” is a one-man theatrical tour de force that introduces the world to the 70-plus-year-old Twain on a stormy night in his Connecticut home. Racing in from thunderous rains, he invites the audience into his study for an intimate conversation filled with stories and anecdotes taken directly from Twain’s writings. Jewell’s performance has been hailed across the country as “personable and touching,” as critics and audience members alike have delighted in his retelling of Twain’s tall tales.

Jewell graduated from Belmont University in Nashville and has worked in dinner theater, summer stock and film. He regularly performs in trade and industrial shows both in and out of his Mark Twain persona. In 1994, he opened the new Performing Arts and Conference Center in Bartlett as its director. In 2003 and again in 2004, Jewell was named to Memphis Magazine’s “Top 100 Who’s Who in Memphis” for his work at the arts center.

“Mark Twain At Large” is sponsored by Mariner’s Pointe Resort. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.ccplayhouse.com or by calling (931) 484-5000.