Author marks 30th anniversary of the “The Shawshank Redemption” at Dover Public Library

The Dover Public Library will mark the 30th anniversary of the popular movie “The Shawshank Redemption” on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 PM. The guest speaker will be author Mark Dawidziak who will talk about his 2019 book The Shawshank Redemption Revealed: How One Story Keeps Hope Alive and show images from the movie and pictures of filming sites in Ohio.  A book signing will follow the program.

Frank Darabont’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s novella was filmed in Ohio and starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The movie was released in 1994 and rose to No. 1 on IMDB’s list of most-loved movies. Dawidziak conducted more than 70 interviews for the book, talking to King, Darabont, Robbins and Freeman, as well as extras, supporting players and behind-the-scenes talent.

Mark Dawidziak worked for the Akron Beacon Journal and The Cleveland Plain Dealer as a television, film and theater critic. In 2015, he was inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame. He has authored or edited 25 books, including fiction, non-fiction, novellas, short stories and comic book scripts. He has written three studies of landmark TV series – Columbo, The Night Stalker and the Twilight Zone. In addition to writing five books about Mark Twain, Dawidziak has portrayed this iconic American writer on the stage for 43 years. His most recent book is entitled A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe.  In 2002, Dawidziak and his wife, actress Sara Showman, founded the Largely Literary Theater Company, dedicated to promoting literature, literacy and live theater. Their repertoire includes works by Mark Twain and Edgar Allan Poe.

This program will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room at the library, located at 525 N. Walnut Street, Dover.  Register online at www.doverlibrary.org/events or call the library at 330-343-6123.