Friday, May 23
Scottsbluff WNCC Recital Hall 7:30 pm

Tuesday, May 27
UNO Strauss Performing Center Recital Hall 7:30 pm

With reflections from composer/performer and Eiseley scholar John Cimino discussing and performing highlights of his Eiseley inspired musical dramatization, The Star Thrower.

Loren Eiseley’s celebrated essay, “The Star Thrower”, is a marvel of brilliant natural science and philosophy, thoughtful, engaging storytelling and superbly crafted language.  It is a tale for our times and for all times, a lifeline to something marvelous and true: “we are of Nature, not above Nature”, we are connected to the natural world and that connection is the essence of our humanity.  Eiseley helps us to feel and comprehend our impulse to “reach across the species barrier” to help fragile, endangered lifeforms in need of our protection and support.  “The task was not to be assumed lightly,” says Eiseley, “For it was men as well as starfish that we sought to save.”

The commissioning team at the renowned Center for Creative Leadership which selected Eiseley’s “Star Thrower” essay to be transformed into an opera, believed it could inspire in its listeners new behaviors and sensitivities and a realization that leaders — indeed, all of us — have it within our power to lead by example and lift others from disillusionment and despair.  And just so, “The Star Thrower” opera or musical dramatization was ushered into the world.  Please join us for an evening of big questions, beautiful music and inspired conversation.