Storm Reading

On March 19, 2021, The Marjorie Luke Theatre Virtual Concert Series will proudly begin streaming Access Theatre’s critically acclaimed stage production Storm Reading, with the support of Series Sponsors and Event Sponsorship by The Independent Living Resource Center celebrating its 45th anniversary. 

This vintage, ground-breaking play was developed in Santa Barbara and first premiered in 1988. The play was enthusiastically embraced by audiences and launched a six-year tour across the USA, to Canada and England, before being filmed for television in 1996. In a Variety review, Storm Reading was described as, “Pure theatrical magic…breath-taking. Likely to leave viewers irrevocably changed.”

Storm Reading is based on the life experiences of Neil Marcus – a poet, humorist, philosopher and, since the international tour of the play, a disability culture icon. Marcus lives with a neurological disorder called Dystonia, which impacts his ability to speak and control movement. His approach to life and disability is uniquely refreshing and progressive, and Storm Reading introduces audiences to his perspective on living one’s life as a truly bold and authentic journey. “Disability is an art,” stated Marcus. Marcus’ voice continues to resonate with people, especially in a time when being ‘different’ in any way continues to be challenging in our society. He is joined onstage by Matthew Ingersoll, who often voices for Neil and portrays a myriad of characters, and American Sign Language interpreter Kathryn Voice.