On March 20, at 11:00 a.m., Matthew Solomon participated in a webinar with poets Jan Freeman and Stefania Heim about Muriel Rukeyser and Houdini. Solomon provided historical and archival context about Houdini and how he is represented from several distinct female points of view in Rukeyser's Houdini: A Musical, connecting several of the play's themes to Houdini's work as a moving-picture magician. The webinar presentations were followed by a lively virtual discussion and Q&A. 

The webinar was part of an ongoing series of public events on Muriel Rukeyser, entitled “Locks, Keys, Freedom: Houdini Comes to Southeast Michigan." Featured this week, EMU’s Theatre Program will bring Rukeyser's musical to life in four staged readings. The complete series of Houdini events are designed to alert Southeast Michigan audiences to Eastern Michigan University’s Rukeyser resources and to the poet’s many creative pursuits – her poetry, prose, journalism, plays, and her visions for the world.  For more information on this program, please visit Muriel Rukeyser, A Living Archive.