If you think it's been a wild winter, brace yourself for a Wilder spring.
Several Yale organizations are joining in the year-long celebration of the centennial of the birth of novelist, playwright, essayist, longtime Hamden resident and Yale alumnus Thornton Wilder '20 B.A. 1897-1975.
The Yale Repertory Theatre will be the site of "Hello, Thornton," a gala benefit for Hamden's Miller Memorial Library at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. The event coincides with the final performance of Wilder's play "The Skin of Our Teeth" at the Yale Rep; previews for the comedy about a suburban family's romp through the ages begin Feb. 20.
"Hello, Thornton!" will feature a turn-of-the-century champagne reception, with the Hamden High School Swing Choir performing selections from "Hello, Dolly!" -- the musical version of Wilder's play "The Matchmaker." This will be followed by the 8 p.m. performance of "The Skin of Our Teeth," directed by Liz Diamond and featuring members of the third-year acting class at the School of Drama. Tickets for the event are $50, and may be reserved by calling Judy Nilsson at 432-1595 or the Miller Library at 203-287-2680.
In conjunction with the centennial celebration, the Yale Rep will also host a free teacher's seminar at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24. The seminar is open to all area middle school, high school and college teachers, and will be followed by a buffet and showing of "The Skin of Our Teeth." For more information, call 432-1595.
The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library will host a special exhibit of Wilder family memorabilia, personal correspondence and unpublished papers June 25-Sept. 21. The Beinecke Library will also sponsor a scholarly conference on Wilder in September that will be open to area teachers at no cost.
Other area events being held in commemoration of Wilder include other special exhibits, a writing competition for high school students, lectures on Wilder's works, tours of the author's Hamden home and the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp.
For further information on the Thornton Wilder Centennial Celebration, call Augusta Thomas at 203-288-7282 or Betty Mettler at 203-288-0556.