~Doc Lawrence

"Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for."

Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury's name is synonymous with imagination. No need to categorize him, he defies description. Long after his death, the author of classics like Fahrenheit 451 has assumed immortality, a label he probably wouldn't like, and occupies an exalted place with those who want to love life more each day.

Bill Oberst, Jr., channels Bradbury for 90 spellbinding minutes of "Ray Bradbury Live (forever)," performed on the magnificent stage at Art Station Theatre in Stone Mountain Historic Village. Oberst, a South Carolina native who recently appeared in his epic performance of Lewis Grizzard, took the audience on a tour-de-force of Bradbury's own spoken and written words.

The result was comparable to Tom Key's heralded portrayal of geodesic dome inventor R. Buckminster Fuller in "The History (and Mystery) of the Universe," at Atlanta's Theatrical Outfit.

Three segments, all from Bradbury's work are presented: beginnings, seductions and second chances. Ray's wife, played by talented Dina Shadwell, appears for a dance and light-hearted comments, which added romance and sensitivity, important because Bradbury could overwhelm with his exuberance and intellectual daring.

The show has a backdrop with large-screen projections and incorporates an original score to explore the ideas of a man who often said, "I don't predict the future - I try to prevent it."

Oberst said that "this is about Bradbury's ideas, not his life. It is a show about what he has left us to ponder. Is there reason to hope? Ray says yes."

Hope reigned supreme, inspiring a standing ovation.

Read more from the original source:
Ray Bradbury Comes To The Mountain - Patch.com