4Culture, with support from Seattle’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, has put together highlights of the A-Y-P centennial into a short video presentation that demonstrates the breadth of the commemoration. We hope the following sights and sounds bring back fond memories and make you proud of King County’s heritage community. Enjoy!

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If you would like to view the HD version, click here.

You’ve read the book, you’ve seen the dramatic reading, now experience Two Wheels North through the Seattle Times’ “Newspapers in Education” excerpts. The NIE pieces appeared in the Times while Book-It Repertory Theatre’s adapted staged readings of the book toured sites around King County. 4Culture supported both projects as part of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Expostion centennial celebration. The staged readings are now history, but you can view teaser video here and the NIE articles here.

Ray Francisco (left) and Vic McDaniel, The Seattle Times Newspapers In Education, courtesy of Evelyn McDaniel Gibb

An “action-packed staged reading” sounds like a contradiction in terms, but that’s not the case with Book-It Repertory Theatre’s adaptation of Two Wheels North, which premiered September 25. With fast-paced exuberance, the 75-minute traveling show, adapted and directed by Annie Lareau, brings to life the saga of two young men who rode their bicycles from Santa Rosa, California, to Seattle’s Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909. The opening night crowd at the Nordic Heritage Museum received an added bonus with the presence of the book’s author, Evelyn McDaniel Gibb, who was seated front row center.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Employing the Book-It Special Edition style of minimal props and liberal use of audience imagination, the talented cast recreated the story’s most memorable scenes. Pedaling vintage bikes on stationary stands, Damian Peterson as Vic McDaniel and Nik Perleros as Ray Francisco, rode up and down mountain passes, over railroad trestles and through tunnels, while encountering fascinating characters played by Kelly Kitchens and John Ulman. With sponsorship from Heritage 4Culture and Site-Specific, Two Wheels North continues its run of performances around King County through October. Visit www.sitespecificarts.org for dates, times and locations.

L-R, John Ulman, Damian Peterson, Evelyn Gibb, Nik Perleros, Kelly Kitchens, & Annie Lareau

It’s finally here; the week that Book-It Repertory Theatre’s Two Wheels North dramatic readings premiere at Nordic Heritage Museum on Friday at 7pm.

Sponsored by Heritage 4Culture and Site-Specific, nine other performances around the county will follow this fall. On Sunday, the Auburn Branch of the King County Library will host the show at 1pm. And on Monday, Seattle Architecture Foundation hosts a noontime performance at Daniels Recital Hall. For a complete schedule and venues, visit 4Culture’s Site-Specific website.

Photo: Historic photo of Vic McDaniel and Ray Francisco

This spring, when I picked up, Two Wheels North, I didn’t know what to expect. The book chronicles the real-life adventures of two young men attempting to bike up the West Coast to the A-Y-P. I soon discovered that it was a terrific read, and well worthy of the dramatic treatment that is the trademark of Book-It Repertory Theatre. Through a collaboration between 4Culture and Book-It, these theatrical, historical readings will soon travel around King County, free and open to the public. Find a venue near you and check it out!

Two Wheels North
A historic novel by Evelyn McDaniel Gibb
Adapted and directed for the stage by Annie Lareau

Free performances throughout King County, beginning September 25

Book-It Repertory Theatre, in partnership with 4Culture’s Heritage and Site-Specific programs, is pleased to present a world premiere adaptation of the novel Two Wheels North, a thrilling true story by Evelyn McDaniel Gibb. One of the last events commemorating the centennial celebration of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, the historic novel will be presented, free of charge, at venues throughout King County beginning September 25.

In 1909, two fresh high school graduates, take on the challenge of cycling from their home in Santa Rosa, California to Seattle, Washington for the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition. It’s 1909; roads don’t even exist along many parts of the route; and the intrepid boys encounter nearly every imaginable natural and mechanical challenge—on their one-speed bikes. Adventure is their primary lure, although there is a promised purse of $25 from the Post-Intelligencer waiting for them if they can only make it to Seattle before the final day of the A-Y-P.

Beginning September 25 at the Nordic Heritage Museum, then for ten performances all around King County you can coast along with these young adventurers on the ride of a lifetime. For specific dates, times, and locations visit Book-It’s website. More performances are added weekly, so check back often for a performance near you.

© Courtesy of Book-It Repertory Theatre

Book-It Repertory Theatre offers “a novel approach to theatre,” with an extensive record of “transforming great literature into great theatre.” Two Wheels North by Evelyn McDaniel Gibb will be brought to life in a 45-60 minute theater work that will tour to ten locations throughout the County, as part of a joint project between 4Culture’s Arts and Heritage programs

This free program is a golden opportunity for historical museums and societies to provide a novel approach to history for their communities. 4Culture is currently seeking venues for the performances and wishes to hear from heritage organizations interested in hosting the performances.

If you want to take part in this dramatic event at the close of the A-Y-P Centennial year, contact Eric Taylor at 206 296.8688.

image: © From Two Wheels North, Courtesy of Santa Rosa Press Democrat