Away in a Hollow
A story in rhyme for children, performed by Marian Seldes
The late Marian Seldes was among America’s great theatrical luminaries, dubbed “the American theatrical diva for our time," by critic Clive Barnes in 2002. Her melifluous voice and crystalline diction, once heard, were never forgotten. Away in a Hollow, written by former acting student Donald Corren, makes full use of Ms. Seldes’ captivating vocal style to tell the story of an anxious caterpillar trying too hard to become a butterfly. Her hypnotic performance transports her audience to an oasis of “meditative playfulness,” allowing children and their parents to enjoy a welcome respite from a frenetic world, while learning a thing or two about patience, expectations, and what it means to grow up! As a special bonus, every download is accompanied by a booklet with the entire text, illustrated by renowned Broadway scenic artist, Richard W. Prouse. See more of Richard's work here.
The Opening
Donald Corren, author
Our hero, Beeore
Pictures from the book
[Marian Seldes has]..."a resonant and impeccably modulated speaking voice, with
consonants that snip the air
and vowel sounds as specifically placed as notes on a stave."
Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"The American theatrical diva for our time."
Clive Barnes, The New York Post
Beeore
"I think from the opening sound of Marian Seldes' voice and the lovely score, this special work had me. The poem is gorgeous - a zen poem for children (of all ages), and I'm sure no one would have been better than Seldes at delivering it. I was moved from beginning to end. My granddaughter, who is a very mature and focussed 5 1/2 year old, will love it; my 3 year old great niece may not be ready to be that still quite yet, but her mom and grandma (my sister) will appreciate it until she's ready! And that third copy that I intended for another child - I think that one is staying with me instead! Congratulations on a very beautiful work of art!"
Nancy Sherman Career Educator Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)Harvard Graduate School of Education.
"The late theater legend Marian Seldes’ voice is now preserved on a new children’s audiobook, “Away in a Hollow,” written by actor Donald Corren.”
NY DAILY NEWS
"Donald Corren's delightful work will be enjoyed by the whole family, particularly those aged 4 years and up. Marion Seldes' rich and sonorous voice is expressive and engaging, and invites the listener into the magic world that Corren has created."
Janice P. Miller, M.S.
Early Childhood Education
Naxos Records under the production guidance of Glen Roven has offered a tribute to one of America’s finest actresses - Marian Hall Seldes (August 23, 1928 – October 6, 2014) was an American stage, film, radio and television actress whose career spanned seven decades. In this extraordinarily successful blending of the arts she narrates in lyrical rhyming cadence the story AWAY IN A HOLLOW written by Donald Corren with music by Dennis Deal and illustrations by Richard W. Prouse – a crew of artists at the pinnacle of their powers.
The story demonstrates how the arts are bonded in communication – from the written/spoken/musical/illustrative vein – and the result is a gift that every family should won. This is a children’s story, yes, and a fine one at that, but it is the joie de vivre that Marian Seldes brings to the recording that dazzles. ‘A story in rhyme for children’ should be called an art piece a stage for the blending of the arts. Highly Recommended.
Grady Harp
Amazon Featured Reviewer
"Donald Corren's delightful work will be enjoyed by the whole family, particularly those aged 4 years and up. Marion Seldes' rich and sonorous voice is expressive and engaging, and invites the listener into the magic world that Corren has created."
Janice P. Miller, M.S.
Early Childhood Education
"More than a year after her death, beloved and legendary Broadway actress Marian Seldes again demonstrates her "talent to captivate" in a newly released recording of the delightful children's story Away in a Hollow. Written by Broadway actor Donald Corren, the story makes full use of Ms. Seldes' mellifluous voice and crystalline diction to tell the story of an anxious caterpillar who tries too hard to become a butterfly. Accompanied by a lush musical score composed and performed by Dennis Deal and watercolor illustrations by Broadway scenic artist Richard W. Prouse, Away in a Hollow is the perfect stocking stuffer for children of all ages."
Broadwayworld.com