Clinton Tries Hand as Narrator for Ark. Symphony

Reuters ^ | 3-13-03 | Anon

[Pharmboy]

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Reuters) - Can this man be Broadway-bound? Having established a role as a television commentator, former President Bill Clinton has found another show business front to conquer -- he will be a guest narrator for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Clinton will read from the speeches of a presidential predecessor, Abraham Lincoln, as part of the symphony's March 25 performance of Aaron Copeland's "Lincoln Portrait."

In his debut performance with the symphony in Little Rock, Clinton will also read from the "I Have a Dream" speech of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the orchestra's performance of Alexander Miller's "Let Freedom Ring."

Symphony officials said Clinton would appear without his trademark saxophone. "The works say a lot about Clinton as a person and a politician. They speak to the issues that he's been about," said David Itkin, the music director and conductor of the Arkansas symphony.

The one-night-only performance will benefit the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation.

Clinton made a splash earlier this month when he became the first former president with a regular, paid, prime-time TV gig when he faced-off in a mini-debate with his 1996 White House challenger Bob Dole on CBS's "60 Minutes."

Early in his national political life, Clinton demonstrated a knack for television, appearing on MTV during his first presidential campaign to play the saxophone and gamely answer questions about whether he wore boxers or briefs.

[seanc623]

Hilarious!

[Pagey]

Early in his national political life

Is this an unconscious suggestion that the end of his political life is near?

[DoughtyOne]

[Pharmboy]

Wow! That's a keeper...

[Pharmboy]

Anymore BillyBoy elicits either a yawn or a laugh. How absolutely galling it must be to him that the world's biggest ego-maniac is not taken seriously about anything.

Great insight...he's screaming for attention. He's going to be doing supermarket openings soon...

[Vinnie]

" Hey, does she always hold that cello like that or is she doin' it for me?"

[Pharmboy]

Alternate: "Does she always mouth the clarinet that way or is she flirtin'?"

[SaveTheChief]

This is not a big deal folks.

I am certain the American disgrace/former president, was invited by the Arkansas Symphony to do this as an effort on their part to fill more seats and sell more season tickets. Often, buying season tickets is the only way one can guarantee a seat at special performances such as this.

Why anyone would want to see him is another story altogether.

When I was a kid, I played in a youth orchestra. Bob Michael, who was Minority Leader of the House at that time came to narrate Carnival of the Animals for one of our performances.

This is all just a publicity thing for the orchestra.

[Pharmboy]

I guess they believe in the old maxim: "There is no such thing as bad publicity."

[P.O.E.]

Found it on my third search attempt. I couldn't believe my luck.

[Doctor Stochastic]

I should have said: "The Peter and The Wolf" but I thought Prokofiev's Ghose might have been offended and I would have to eat three oranges in penance.

[doug from upland]

Forever, an absolute piece of crap.

[Humidston]

I wonder if he'll manage to brush a tear or two from those sad puppy dog eyes as he reads.

Nah, he'll just let them roll down those rosey cheeks so the audience can see he really FEELS pain. And they'll love it; they'll love him even more than they ever did.

I gotta go now. Feeling ill....