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Image for event: A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy

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A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy

2025-05-15 18:30:00 2025-05-15 20:00:00 America/New_York A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy Join us for this exciting lecture by Joseph Rubin, American Musical Production's Executive Director, about the Broadway musical, "Dearest Enemy," that opened in Akron 100 years ago. Please register. Main Library - Auditorium

Thursday, May 15
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-05-15 18:30:00 2025-05-15 20:00:00 America/New_York A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy Join us for this exciting lecture by Joseph Rubin, American Musical Production's Executive Director, about the Broadway musical, "Dearest Enemy," that opened in Akron 100 years ago. Please register. Main Library - Auditorium

Main Library

Auditorium

Join us for this exciting lecture by Joseph Rubin, American Musical Production's Executive Director, about the Broadway musical, "Dearest Enemy," that opened in Akron 100 years ago. Please register.

Please register in person, online, or by phone at 330.643.9030. 

Whether you are a Broadway enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by Akron's rich cultural heritage, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience.

As Akron commemorates its Bicentennial, there is no better way to celebrate the city’s vibrant artistic heritage than by exploring one of Broadway’s hidden treasures. Join the Library for an engaging lecture on the history, creation, and restoration of "Dearest Enemy," the first musical comedy by Rodgers and Hart, which premiered in Akron a century ago. This presentation will highlight the Akron Beacon Journal's acclaim for the production, calling it “the biggest theatrical innovation on record here in the past 100 years.”

Led by the esteemed Rubin, this multimedia lecture will transport you through the fascinating story of "Dearest Enemy"—from its Broadway debut to its enduring impact. Discover rare recordings from the original cast, never-before-seen photographs, and artifacts from the show’s initial run. Attendees will also enjoy an exclusive look at a 1955 television adaptation of the musical.

Contact the Special Collections Division for more information at 330-643-9030 or speccollections@akronlibrary.org

Save the date! In celebration of Akron's Bicentennial, the Library will host a live performance of "Dearest Enemy" at the Goodyear Theater on June 21, 2025. For more information about upcoming Akron Bicentennial events, check out the website, https://akron200.org.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Music | History |

TAGS: | |

Main Library

Phone: 330.643.9000
Branch manager
Michael Bianchi

Hours
Mon, Jun 23 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 24 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 25 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 26 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 27 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jun 28 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 29 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Main Library, located in the heart of downtown Akron, combines compelling public space with meaningful and relevant public library services for all members of our community. Since opening in 2004, the downtown library welcomes more than one million visitors each year.

Subject divisions include: Business, Government & Science, Culture & AV, Magazines & Newspapers, Special Collections (local history & genealogy), TechZone@Main, Teen, and a 12,000 square feet Children's Library.

Special services available at Main Library include: a Patent & Trademark Resource Center; U.S. Passport and Notary services; a Microbusiness Center; a Maker Space; a resource lab for early childhood educators; and regularly scheduled computer training classes. Also available at Main Library are more than 125 public access computers, color photocopiers/printers, laminating, scanning, faxing, and free Wi-Fi.

Specialized spaces include a 425-seat auditorium, public meeting rooms, and a used bookstore. An interior glass block walkway leads to a 600-space parking garage owned by the City of Akron. An outdoor amphitheater and landscaped park complete the complex.

Upcoming Events

Sun, Jun 29, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Library Park/Amphitheater

Mon, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Mon, Jun 30, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
TechZone
This event is full

Mon, Jun 30, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
115 E Market St, Akron, OH 44308

Tue, Jul 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space B

Tue, Jul 01, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Tue, Jul 01, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Computer Lab 1,Computer Lab 2

Wed, Jul 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 02, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Auditorium

Wed, Jul 02, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Computer Lab 1,Computer Lab 2

Thu, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 03, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 03, 6:15pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Thu, Jul 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
1 South High St.

Mon, Jul 07, 12:30pm - 1:00pm

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space B

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Auditorium

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
TechZone
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 10, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Teen Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 10, 6:10pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Sat, Jul 12, 2:00pm - 4:45pm
Auditorium

Sun, Jul 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room 2AB

Mon, Jul 14, 12:30pm - 1:00pm

Mon, Jul 14, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Teen Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
TechZone

Tue, Jul 15, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space B

Tue, Jul 15, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Tue, Jul 15, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
TechZone

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Auditorium

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
TechZone

Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Cancelled
Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Cancelled
Thu, Jul 17, 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Jul 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 17, 6:10pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jul 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Sat, Jul 19, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Atrium

Mon, Jul 21, 12:30pm - 1:00pm
Registration opens Monday, June 30 2025 at 10:00am

Tue, Jul 22, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space B

Wed, Jul 23, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 24, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 24, 6:10pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jul 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Sat, Jul 26, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room 2AB

Mon, Jul 28, 12:30pm - 1:00pm
Registration opens Monday, July 7 2025 at 10:00am

Mon, Jul 28, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
115 E Market St, Akron, OH 44308