Howard Cruse and his cast of characters.
Anyone who knows Howard Cruse – who used to pal around with such notables as Tony Kushner when he was in New York – knows what a delightful ham he is. While his normal creative outlet is the drawing board and a pen, he is also an actor, a playwright, and above all one of the most colorful raconteurs in Berkshire County. He could hold his own with Spalding Gray or Will Rogers.
His public appearances are much sought after, and so the arrival of this announcement is good news indeed.
WordPlay@Papyri Books, the monthly reading series and open mic for local authors, welcomes internationally renowned cartoonist Howard Cruse on Saturday, July 10 at 7 pm. Cruse, who lives in North Adams with his husband, Ed Sedarbaum, is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the publication of his critically acclaimed 1995 graphic novel “Stuck Rubber Baby” with the release of a new edition.
(Though Papyri Books will be closed July 5-July 20, but WordPlay is still happening – right next door at 43 Eagle Street. The lights will be on, refreshments will be out, the space is handicap accessible, and Howard Cruse books will be available for purchase.)
Howard Cruse makes an impression in person as well as on paper.
Cruse’s comic strips and humorous illustrations have appeared in Playboy, The Village Voice, Artforum International, Heavy Metal, and numerous other mainstream American magazines and underground comic books. He was the founding editor of Gay Comix in 1980 and the creator of the Wendel comic strip series for The Advocate.
He has published nine books, including Stuck Rubber Baby, which won both Eisner and Harvey Awards when it was published in the U.S. and, in subsequent translations, won a Luchs Award in Germany, a Prix de la critique at the International Comics Festival in Angouleme, France in 2002, and a 2006 Comics Critics Award in Spain.
This spring’s reissue of the book has new cover art and an introduction by Alison Bechdel, author of the 2006 graphic novel Fun Home. For more about Cruse and his work, visit Howard Cruse Central (www.howardcruse.com).
The reading will be hosted by writer and theatre critic Gail M. Burns of Williamstown. Papyri Books is located at 45 Eagle Street in North Adams, Massachusetts. Hours are Monday-Saturday noon-6 pm. For more information call 413-662-2099, e-mail papyri@bcn.net, or visit www.papyribooks.net The store is also home to the Papyri Books Gallery, featuring the work of Kelly Lee in July and August.
Complete WordPlay@Papyri Books Schedule for 2010
July 10 – Howard Cruse “Stuck Rubber Baby” 15th anniversary edition, and “From Headrack to Claude: Collected Gay Comix”
August 14 – Stuart Bartow “Reasons to Hate the Sky” and Barbara Louise Ungar
September 11 – Charles O’Brien “False Patriots”
October 9 – Gail M. Burns
November 13 – Slate Roof Writers
December 11 – WordPlay Holiday Hoo-ha, coordinated by Paul W. Marino
All WordPlay events are held on the second Saturday of the month from 7-9 pm at Papyri Books, 45 Eagle Street, North Adams, MA
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