Famous writer (in his mind) to be featured Sunday at Stories on Stage
Sudwerk to host reading of select Wary One columns from the last 56 years
This is a bit awkward for me, but since getting the word out about local issues is difficult these days, I'm going to do it here.
It's awkward because the local newspaper that once employed the Above-Pictured Columnist for 55 straight years is unlikely to carry a story about a fabulous program that same person will be a part of at Sudwerk this coming Sunday (May 11) at 4 p.m.
Because it is a tremendous and long-standing program known far and wide as "Stories on Stage Davis," I have agreed to help the organizers get the word out.
According to Davis' No. 1 news source, The Dirt, everyone is invited to "Enjoy an evening with legendary local columnist Bob Dunning, as actor Larry Lew presents some of Bob's favorite columns and new writings on Substack. Next, Dr. Andy Jones will interview Dunning in a one-on-one live chat. A special event you won't want to miss. Sunday, May 11. 4-6 p.m. Free."
Because it's at Sudwerk, you can buy a beer or a glass of wine beforehand or at halftime and bring it into the event.
As I understand it, in previous editions of the monthly Stories on Stage, many folks stayed afterward to enjoy dinner at Sudwerk. Not a bad idea on Mother's Day. I recommend the Bacon Cheeseburger with extra mayo.
I'm extremely pleased to be going one-on-one, mano-a-mano with the incomparable Dr. Andy. Hopefully, there will be a basketball hoop at the end of the stage so I can show off my devastating jump shot.
Dr. Andy is simply the best in so many ways and he gets to the heart of the matter very quickly.
I don't know if he believes in exclamation points or the Oxford Comma, but we'll probably discuss those, too.
I'm relieved that someone other than me will be reading these columns, but I don't know how they'll possibly be able to get through all 14,116 of them in the time allotted without someone tossing a full beer at the stage and screaming "Enough." (Makes me wonder if Dr. Andy would have put an exclamation point at the end of that sentence.)
Reading the columns myself would have been impossible. I'm sure I'd get halfway through the first one and start peeking at the audience where I'd see people yawning and rolling their eyes while calming their restless toddlers, and realize I'd lost the room. It would be straight downhill from there.
Larry Lew, the actor tasked with upgrading my writing - making chicken salad out of chicken feathers as we used to say in the cafeteria at West Davis Elementary - has credits longer than both my arms put together.
Larry has worked with a variety of community theaters both here and on the wrong side of the Causeway, including the Old Eagle Theater, Stockton's Asian Pacific Theater Company and Auburn's Motherlode Stage Company, in addition to Stories on Stage Sacramento.
As for Stories on Stage Davis, it began in the fall of 2013 as a passion project of the founder, Jeri Howitt, who wanted to establish a new and unique home for literature in the city of Davis. As such, Howitt launched a monthly series with performances by the best authors and writing she could find.
Along the way, through dozens and dozens of performances, they've hosted Pulitzer Prize winners, National Book Award finalists and New York Times bestsellers, but they're just now getting around to me, the only writer in the bunch who had to take Bonehead English (twice) at UC Davis.
This weekend happens to coincide exactly with the first anniversary of my death at the local newspaper and resurrection as The Wary One on Substack.
This is also the week the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes were announced and for the 56th consecutive year my name was not mentioned during the awards ceremony in New York City.
According to the Stories on Stage promo, "We're proud to say that since our event began, we've had shows that were hilarious, others that were poignant (and many that were both), and that each and every one has been captivating."
I'll try not to break that streak.
Reach me at bobdunning@thewaryone.com
It’s on my calendar! I’ll mention it in my column too.
You had me at cheeseburger with extra mayo