JACK'S LAST CALL Say Goodbye to Kerouac

Drew Keil portrays the drunken, troubled, but wonderfully articulate writer who led the Beat Generation in this unusual and insightful audio drama. Opening in Northport, Long Island, in 1964 and recorded, in part, at one of Kerouac's favorite bars, the story hitchhikes its way back and forth through Kerouac's life, blending recollections of his youth, his life on the road, and his discomfort with his own celebrity. Ambient acoustics, sparing use of sound effects, and music featuring Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams, and Mel Torme help create a touching collage of the writer's life. Ed Dennehy, who directed the stage version of the play, portrays the flamboyant psychedelic prankster Neal Cassady, and Sonya Tannenbaum plays Kerouac's mother. Len Cariou, portraying a journalist biographer, narrates. S.E.S. 2009 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 08]