Alaska comes to New Jersey with fiddling poet Ken Waldman

HACKETTSTOWN — Centenary Stage Company presents Ken Waldman, Alaska’s Fiddling Poet: Portrait of an Artist as Santa Claus as part of the Kutz Theatre Series.

Waldman brings a show that is one part Appalachian — string band concert, one — part riveting storytelling, one — part poetry reading, and one — part early Christmas gift exchange to the Edith Kutz Theater from Nov. 13 through the 16. The Edith Kutz Theater is located in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College in Hackettstown.

Ken Waldman is a writer with six full-length poetry collections, a memoir, a children's book, and nine CDs that combine Appalachian-style string-band music with original poetry and Alaska-set storytelling. A former tenure-track college professor with an MFA in Creative Writing, since 1995 he's made his living as a freelance writer, musician, performer and teacher, often touring as Alaska's Fiddling Poet.

Aside from some of the standards Waldman likes to perform, he will “change it up” each night promising that no two performances will be alike. Waldman will be joined by multi–instrumentalist Brian Vollmer, a much praised banjo player, fiddler and guitarist. Waldman’s tales of Alaska, which includes surviving a plane crash, have been highly praised. Some audience members will even walk–away with giveaways by the artist.

Alaska’s Fiddling Poet: Portrait of an Artist as Santa Claus tickets are $27.50 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and children under 12 on Saturdays. Tickets for matinees and Fridays are $25 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and children under 12. Thursday evening’s performance tickets are $25 for all seats, with a two for one Family Night rush discount when purchased at the door.

Tickets, as well as, may be purchased on-line at centenarystageco.org, at the CSC Box Office in the Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave. in Hackettstown or by calling 908-979–0900. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday 1 to 5 p.m., and two hours prior to performance times. CSC also has a Box Office open during the main season at 217 Main Street in Hackettstown open Monday through Friday from 3 – 6 p.m.