Mark Twain Talks: Notes On The Damned Human Race

MARK TWAIN TALKS

     MARK TWAIN TALKS is a series of entertaining performances presenting Twain's wit, wisdom, and musery as America's Greatest Humorist would have presented them around 1892, long before he wore his famous white suit. At that time Twain was at the height of his popularity and fame, and often gave his talks to appreciative audiences at home and abroad. In re-creating these performances, Budd has kept faithfully to Mark Twain’s irreverent and self-deprecating form of humor. As Twain said, "I was born modest - not all over, but in parts."

     "Notes On the Damned Human Race" contains some of Twain's thoughts on the animal called Man. Starting at the beginning -- "It all began with Adam and Eve, of course." -- Twain examines the faults and idiosyncracies of the race and ends up loving it anyway. This show contains an interesting analysis of the English inability to tell a proper lie, and should be seen for that reason alone.

     Bern Budd has been a professional actor and director since graduating from The American and Musical Dramatic Academy in New York in 1971. He has performed across this country, and abroad, and has won numerous awards, including a "Best of the Fest" at the 2006 Fringe.

     When asked why he decided to portray Mark Twain, Budd said, "It would be a shame if the words of the first great American writer were to fade from the public discourse. Twain has insights into human nature that are as true now as they were then, and we need to hear them. My shows have encouraged people to go forth and read some of Twain's lesser-known work, and this can only improve their lives - and their temperament."

     More information about Budd and the other shows that make up "Mark Twain Talks" is available on the internet at www.marktwaintalks.com.