for the ARTS record
AMERICAN PLACE THEATRE TO PERFORM "TEACHER MAN" American Place Theatre, a theater company based in New York City, will perform two shows of "Teacher Man," a one-man play based on Frank McCourt's memoir, on Friday, Nov. 30.

Michael McMonagle

"Teacher Man" is the APT's latest adaptation of a book to the stage as part of its Literature To Life Program. American Place Theatre's co-founder and artistic director, Wynn Handman, a part-time Nantucket resident, adapted and wrote the screenplay.

The show will be performed by Michael McMonagle, a New York actor cast and directed by Handman. McMonagle will perform "Teacher Man" for Nantucket High School students in the morning and again for adults in the Great Hall of the Nantucket Atheneum at 7 p.m.

The evening performance costs $20, with a senior citizen and student discount of $15. Tickets are on sale at the library.

Frank McCourt's memoir, "Teacher Man," describes in both a humorous and heartfelt way his 30- year journey as a public high school teacher. "I thought I was teaching," McCourt writes. "I was learning."

"Literature To Life," The American Place Theatre's performance-based literacy program, presents professionally staged, verbatim adaptations of significant American literary works. This educational program gives students and adults a new form of access to literature by bringing to life the world of books with performances that create an atmosphere of discovery and spark the imagination. "Literature to Life" encourages reading, writing and critical thinking and has already provided a catalyst for learning and self-expression for over 300,000 students nationwide. The Theatre, having received over 30 Obies and 16 Audelcos, is critically acclaimed as a birthing place for artistic endeavors at the crossroad of literature and live performance for 45 years.

"We are honored and excited to welcome the American Place Theatre to Nantucket and to the Atheneum," said library director Molly Anderson. "The APT's Literature To Life program is a perfect accompaniment to the traditions and history of events that have occurred the Great Hall."

KAY'S BOOK A FINALIST FOR BEST OF 2007 "Every Bite is Divine: The Balanced Approach to Enjoying Eating, Feeling Healthy and Happy, and Getting to a Weight that's Natural for You," authored by Nantucket's Annie B. Kay, was named a finalist in the The National "Best Books" 2007 Awards in the Health: Diet & Weight Loss category

Awards were presented for titles published in 2007 and late 2006. Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, said this year's contest yielded an unprecedented number of entries. Keen says of the awards, now in their fourth year, "The 2007 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. Winners and finalists traversed the publishing landscape: Simon & Schuster, Penguin-Putnam, HarperCollins, Random House, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin Co., John Wiley & Sons & hundreds of independent titles contributed to this year's outstanding BBA competition.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON "THE COMPASS ROSE" Filmmaker John Stanton will host "The Compass Rose: Documenting the Island's Past" at the Nantucket Historical Association's Food for Thought Series on Thursday, November 29, in the Whaling Museum, 13 Broad St., at noon. Free admission; bring your lunch.

In 1936 H. Marshall Gardiner created the Compass Rose mural based on the design of the compass rose used by mariners and navigators. Painted on the side of his shop at 16 Main St., now owned by Ralph Lauren, the mural has become a beloved Nantucket landmark forever connected to the island. In September 2006, Ralph Lauren partnered with the NHA to restore and preserve the mural, while working with Stanton in chronicling the history of the image in an eight-minute film - "Not Just Another Sign" - which premiered at the 2007 Nantucket Film Festival.

Stanton, who has worked on a number of documentaries including the award-winning piece, "The Bones of History" - a 17-minute film featuring the story of the NHA's sperm whale and recalling the history of Nantucket whaling - will show "Not Just Another Sign," and talk about the art of documentary film.

A WINTER WONDERLAND Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - the Nantucket Historical Association's 14th annual Festival of Trees will open to the public on Friday, November 30 at the Whaling Museum, 13 Broad St.

Featuring over 70 trees designed and decorated by local merchants, nonprofit organizations, community members, artists, artisans and schoolchildren, the Whaling Museum will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland.

Mary Malavase is again chairing the event. "During the NHA's Centennial Celebration in 1994, the idea for the festival of trees came from Lucile Pierce Corkran, past NHA president Kim Corkran's mother. There has been terrific community support for this festival over the years, and the tireless work and creativity of the tree designers and decorators are truly appreciated. I am delighted to again be associated with this wonderful event."

"We are extremely grateful to our generous underwriters and all those who make this festival possible," said NHA executive director Bill Tramposch. "The distinguished list of past chairs, the talented Festival committee, and the current volunteers are a true testament to the importance of this exciting seasonal event."

The Festival runs through December 17: Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. General admission is $15; for Nantucket yearround residents, $5 (with a valid driver's license); free for children and NHA members. The Whaling Museum is handicap accessible. In honor of Nantucket's Christmas Stroll weekend, the Museum will also remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 1.

Nantucket Bank, a division of Sovereign Bank, is the lead underwriter for the Festival of Trees and Festival of Wreaths. Additional financial support is provided by Bartlett's Farm; The Beachside at Nantucket; Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines; Congdon & Coleman Real Estate; Glidden & Glidden, PC; Killen Real Estate; Nantucket Real Estate Co.; Nantucket Storage Center; Pacific National, a Bank of America Company, Sanford Real Estate; and Sherburne Inn.

For more information, please call the Nantucket Historical Association at 228-1894, ext. 0.

LET YOUR HOUSE BE BRIGHT The second annual Community Christmas Light Decorating Contest is open to all residences. Beginning Monday, Nov. 26, interested participants can pick up registration forms at the Visitor Services office at 25 Federal St. or the Chamber of Commerce office upstairs at 48 Main St. The deadline for registering is Monday, Dec. 17. Judging will only be for home exteriors in the following categories: Brightest Lights, Most Creative and Best Nantucket Themed. Winners will receive "Light" inspired prizes. Judging is Dec. 18 to 21, and the winners will be announced at the Chamber's Red Ticket Holiday Drawing on Monday, Dec. 24. Photographs of the winning residences will be published in the local newspapers. A listing of participating homes will be available to the public at Visitor Services and the Chamber. So, get into the Island holiday spirit and maybe you can be the next Clark W. Griswold.

Questions? Call Visitor Services at 228-0925 or

the Chamber of Commerce at 228-3643. I