Muriel Rukeyser’s Houdini

Houdini brings to life the story of legendary escape artist Harry Houdini as imagined by poet Muriel Rukeyser. First performed in 1973 with Christopher Walken in the title role, the play captures Houdini’s transformation from Hungarian-born Eric Weisz, son of a rabbi, to the most celebrated escape artist of all times. But can Houdini really break any lock? Not only handcuffs, straightjackets, or prisons, but also less visible ones like gender inequality, racial bigotry, religious persecution, and the power of ‘bad’ magic? Using scripts, and relying on language, movement, and the audience’s imagination, Eastern Michigan University’s theatre students will conjure up Rukeyser’s magical telling of Houdini’s story. Directed by theatre professor Lee Stille, the performances are free and open to the public. More information at http://murielrukeyser.emuenglish.org/locks-keys-freedom-muriel-rukeysers-houdini-and-the-public-role-of-poetry/