Despite the fact that Stephen Spiegel portrays a character named Booth, the actor does anything but phone his performance in. Indeed, Spiegel kills as America’s archetypal assassin in An Evening with John Wilkes Booth. Co-written (with Clinton Case) and directed by Lloyd Schwartz, this one-man show explores the co-conspirator who shot Pres. Lincoln as a celebrated actor, ladies man, individual and, oh yeah - as a homicidal maniac and drunken sot.

Upon entering Theatre West, a recording of “Dixie” was played to set the mood - it’s certainly a very catchy tune, especially if you happen to be a neo-nazi. Along with some racial slurs, this - plus the delirium of a megalomaniacal murderer eloquently spewed by Spiegel - are among the challenges 21st century theatergoers must endure to experience this excursion into the mind of the man who murdered Abraham Lincoln, arguably our greatest president.

Stan & Ollie is an entertaining story for all viewers, but it’s a special treat for anyone who’s seen old Laurel and Hardy flicks. Besides being physically transformed to look like these iconic comedians, stars John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan do a great job of incorporating the pair’s mannerism into their portrayals.

Reilly’s Oliver Hardy is especially spot-on, right down to his eye-rolling exasperation at his friend’s antics. Coogan’s Stan Laurel is slightly less recognizable, but that’s partly because he’s revealed to be the duo’s leader, the hard-working guy who creates their routines and arranges their business deals. It seems the real-life Laurel had little in common with the simpleton he played in films and onstage.

Screenwriter Jeff Pope bases the story on an actual tour Laurel and Hardy undertook in the UK in 1953, a few years after their cinematic career had faded to black.

Friday, January 25, 4pm
St. James Tavern, 1057 N. 4th St.
Roe V Wade was ruled on by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in 1973. The court ruled 7-2 that unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Here we are in the year 2019 and a woman's right to choose is being threatened in almost every state in the country, including and especially in Ohio with the threat of the Heartbeat Bill popping up constantly and the Method Ban passing. St James Tavern trusts women and supports their right to choose medical decisions needed for their own bodies. Join us for Happy Hour on Friday to raise money for Women Have Options. Michelle will be behind the bar and donating all of her tips plus 20% of the bar sales to WHO. Any donations over $10 will get you a copy of the Men of St James 2019 CALENDAR because you should be rewarded for supporting women and their right to choose!

January 24, 2019, 1:30 – 2:45 PM

Provost's Discovery Themes Lecture with Mary Robinson
One of the world's most respected advocates for climate justice and Ireland's first woman President, Mary Robinson leads the Mary Robinson Foundation—Climate Justice, a center for thought leadership, education and advocacy for the poor and disempowered in the world that are disproportionately threatened by climate change.  Her new book, Climate Justice, has received glowing reviews from former world leaders and the environmental and human rights community. 

Barack Obama, awarding Robinson the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, praised her as an “advocate for the forgotten and the ignored,” noting that she has “not only shone a light on human suffering, but illuminated a better future for our world.”  Mary Robinson first rose to international prominence as President of Ireland from 1990-97.  She is widely regarded as a groundbreaking and transformational leader who elevated the public role of the Irish presidency, helping to shape modern Ireland in a period of rapid and unprecedented economic growth.