CRAZY IN ALABAMA

Retrieving a cassette from its nesting place is often hazardous: a knuckle, a nail, or a wrist needs to be put into play. This production is worth breaking a finger for. Aunt Lucille divests herself of her husband and her six children to make her pilgrimage to Hollywood, carrying the head of her deceased husband in a Tupperware bowl to accompany her journey. Back in Alabama is her 12-year-old nephew, Peejoe, watches the Civil Rights Movement explode. This monumental narration by Tom Stechschulte deserves stars, laurels, and fireworks. He creates an enormous cast of characters, each with his or her own voice and impetus. He is Martin Luther King, Jr., and George Wallace and a sweet young girl, an old woman, the mean sherriff, the kindly Negro. At times, it’s like listening to a full cast. Not only does Stechschulte deserve an Earphones Award for excellence in narration--each of the characters he has created deserves one, too. J.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 01]