Playing Ball at The Bookhouse

The Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg, PA presented an installment of their Bookhouse Concert Series on Friday June 21st featuring a solo performance given by Cedric Liqueur on the life of baseball legend Leroy “Satchel” Paige. Mr. Liqueur’s portrayal of the man was a believable one as noted by the nods of recognition many attendees who were fans of the sport frequently gave of when aspects in Mr. Paige’s history were mentioned throughout the performance. There were, however, a number of dead spots in the presentation which the flow of the piece was interrupted by several awkward pauses. But, this aspect of the play may be attributed to as an accurate depiction of Mr. Paige himself during his later years.

Leroy “Satchel” Paige was born on July 7th, 1906 and died June 8, 1982. His baseball career spanned 40 years and he pitched in over 2,500 games. Mr. Paige was the oldest rookie to sign a major league contract which was with the Cleveland Indians and was the first Negro League baseball player to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The play was written by Cedric Liqueur in collaboration with the Satchel Paige family and is licensed by Satchel Paige Enterprises.

Cedric Liqueur is a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and has written and produced historical biographies as solo performances since 1997. He has performed in a variety of venues throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. You’ll find more photographs taken during his performance at The Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg, PA in the EMPL 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151585206515421.1073741827.636000420&type=1.

The Eastern Monroe Public Library (aka The Hughes Library) Bookhouse Concert Series take place in the Edinger Community Room which is located on N. 9th Street (aka route 611) in Stroudsburg, PA. The Hughes Library is the main branch of the Monroe County, PA library system which include their Pocono Township Branch in Tannersville, PA and their Smithfield’s Branch in Marshalls Creek, PA. The library offers access to numerous books, DVDs, Audio Recordings, and cultural programs free to the public. The library’s BookHouse series is part of its cultural programs designed to provide a venue for literary and musical events which are outside of the commercial and literary mainstream.

The next Bookhouse event will feature an evening with Singer Brad Roccanova on Friday July 26th beginning at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 7pm. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Refreshments will be available for a small charge. Please Contact Linnae Cintron at 570-421-0800 x28 or explore The Eastern Monroe Public Library Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/EasternMonroePublicLibrary?ref=ts&fref=ts to learn more information about the library, their BookHouse series, and all the institution has to offer the community.