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[JULY 17, 2002]  ^"Crispin: The Cross of Lead," by Avi. Hyperion Books for Children, 2002, 262 pages.

The story takes place in 14th century medieval England. The main character is a 13-year-old boy known only as Asta’s boy. He and his mother, Asta, are poor peasants who lead a miserable life almost to the point of starvation. His mother told him that his father died before his birth as a result of the Great Mortality, known as the Plague, but she never really talks about him.

The first of many bad things to happen to him occurs in the first chapter of the book when his mother dies. Since the villagers had shunned her, no one even noticed as the village priest and her son carried her body to the pauper’s cemetery.

As soon as the earth covered her body, John Aycliffe, the man in charge of the manor in the absence of Lord Furnival, the law and the peasants, tells Asta’s boy that he must give the ox to him to pay for his mother’s death tax. The ox is his only means of making a living for himself, and Aycliffe’s response is that he can starve for all he cares.

Later, the priest tries to console the boy with prayer. The orphan is so distraught that he runs off, but not before the priest tells him that he has a name and it is Crispin. While he is running, he slips and hits his head on a stone and is knocked unconscious for a while.

He is awakened by the sound of two men talking. One he recognizes as John Aycliffe, but the other is a stranger. Whatever the stranger is telling Aycliffe is upsetting him, and seeing Crispin, he chases after him with his sword drawn. Crispin eludes the men and stays hidden until nightfall.

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He is able to contact the priest, who tells Crispin that he is being blamed for a murder and has been declared a "Wolf’s Head." That means that anyone at any time can kill him. The priest arranges to meet Crispin later to tell him more about who he is, but the priest is killed before he can tell him any more, especially what the inscription on his mother’s lead cross says.

Crispin realizes that he will never be safe and must leave the only place he has ever known. He is very frightened and very much alone but never gives up on his faith in God.

A few days into his journey he meets a man named Bear. Bear is a roving entertainer who Crispin later finds out has strong ties to an underground political movement to improve the living conditions of the peasants. Bear takes Crispin under his wing, feeds him, and teaches him to play music and juggle to make money as they travel to Great Wexley, where the priest told Crispin he would discover his destiny.

In a dramatic climax, Crispin’s enemies abduct Bear, and Crispin must risk his life to save Bear.

This is a wonderfully written story full of mystery, adventure and action. The relationship that develops between Bear and the fatherless Crispin is the true heart of the story. This book will leave Avi fans hoping for a sequel. It is recommended reading for ages 8-12.

For more information about this book, please visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-5732.

[Linda Harmon, Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

LCT cast for ‘The King and I’

[JULY 20, 2002]  Lincoln Community Theatre’s final production of the summer season, "The King and I," is fast approaching.

The musical play, set in the royal palace of the King of Siam in the early 1860s, creates a dramatic, richly textured tale of an attractive English widow summoned by the King of Siam to serve as tutor to his many wives and children. Along with a dazzling Rogers and Hammerstein score, the musical weaves a tale of East versus West, incorporating both laughter and tears.

Jennifer MacMurdo, formerly of Lincoln, will direct the Aug, 2-10 production of "The King and I."

The two leading roles feature Rob Siebert of Mount Pulaski and Betsy Buttell of Lincoln as the King of Siam and Mrs. Anna. Other Lincoln cast members include Tom Swanson as Prince Chululonghorn, Ben Herrington-Gilmore as Louis, Jim Newsome as Captain Orton, Jason Steffens as Sir Edward Ramsay and Patrick Perry as Interpreter/Guard.

Elizabeth Eigenbrod of Mason City will appear as Lady Thiang, Greg Runyard of Minier as Lun Tha, Paul Cary of Springfield as The Kralahome, Alison Maske of Mount Pulaski as Tuptim and Tony Crawford of Clinton as Simon of Legree/Guard.

Appearing as the king’s wives are Nanette Turner, Kirsten Knutilla, Nickel Hays, Mary Kay Lohrenz and Tina Mayer. The king’s children include Rachelle Cravens, Rachel Kasa, Rebecca Kasa, Audrey Maske, Brianna Skaggs, Abbey Derstine, John Paul Runyard, Nicholas Cody Runyard, Moses Rogers, Christopher Jones, Taylor Erwin, Annie Sheley, Katy Langdon and Crystal Quint.

Assisting in the production of the musical is Catherine Bailey of Lincoln as technical director. Jerry Dellinger of Lincoln and David Mankey of Clinton will handle the lighting and sound design and direction. Wendy Hurst is serving as stage manager.

Season ticket holders may make their reservations at any time. General admission sales will be available beginning July 27. Ticket prices are $9 for adults and $6 for students through eighth grade. The box office, located in Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the Lincoln College campus, is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For further information call (217) 735-2614 or go to the LCT website: http://www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre.

[Judy Rader, LCT publicity chairman]

Movie classics

Logan County Arts Association upcoming films

All upcoming monthly features in the Logan County Arts Association series of classic films will start at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Cinemas, 215 S. Kickapoo.

Thursday, Aug. 8

John Ford’s "Fort Apache" (1948)

John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen

In John Ford’s somber exploration of "Custer’s last stand" and the mythologizing of American heroes, he slowly reveals the character of Owen Thursday, who sees his new posting to the desolate Fort Apache as a chance to claim the military honor which he believes is rightfully his. Arrogant, obsessed with military form and ultimately self-destructive, Thursday attempts to destroy the Indian warrior Cochise after luring him across the border from Mexico.

Thursday, Sept. 12

"Breakfast at Tiffany’s" (1961)

Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Buddy Ebsen, Patricia Neal

Based on Truman Capote’s novel, this is the story of a young jet-setting woman in New York City who meets a young man when he moves into her apartment building.

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Thursday, Oct. 10

Horror/sci-fi double feature

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931)

Frederic March, Miriam Hopkins

Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men: a good and an evil side. He faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run wild with a potion that changes him into the animalistic Mr. Hyde.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951)

Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe

An alien (Klaatu) with his mighty robot (Gort) lands their spacecraft on cold-war Earth just after the end of World War II. He tells the people of Earth that we must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.

Tickets will be available at Serendipity Stitches, 129 S. Kickapoo; the Lincoln Public Library Annex; at the door; or by calling (217) 732-4298. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2.50 for children 13 and under. These features are one show only, with limited seating.

[Logan County Arts Association ]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s box office, phone 735-2614,  is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday for the summer season. The office is located in the lobby of the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Lincoln College.

Performances of "Dearly Departed" are scheduled for July 12-20, and "The King and I" will be presented Aug. 2-10. Show times are 2 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The LCT mailing address is Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656; e-mail: lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.

Visit the LDC website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html. Pictures from past productions are included.

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