A MAGICAL REALITY CHAUTAUQUA SHOW Telling Strange Tales

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE MAYPOLE OF THE MARYMOUNT.]--Timothy Patrick Miller's calling his recording series American Listeners Theatre may cause one to think he's presenting audio drama. More revealingly, he subtitles his readings of Ambrose Bierce A MAGICAL REALITY CHAUTAUQUA SHOW, suggesting not only the fantastic nature of his subject matter, but the bombast associated with the lecturers and readers of ye olde Chautauqua Circuit. Indeed, as exemplified here in two acclaimed Bierce chillers, accompanied by a fine Hawthorne tale, he is worthy to share the dais with such spellbinders as Dickens, Bryant, and his old literary foe, Twain. He has a sonorous, finely-tuned "instrument," which he uses with masterly, albeit hammy, expressive skill. To this he contributes a deep understanding of his texts and an ear for the euphony of great writing. Y.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]