From the Federal Theater Project Collection.

Last night I watched the host of Animal Planet’s River Monsters spend three hours trying to land a giant freshwater stingray. And I wondered, what might we have in the Music Divisions coffers that conveys such adventure and derring-do? I had to look no further than the Federal Theater Project collection, subject of the exhibit currently in the lobby of the Performing Arts Reading Room.  This week’s featured picture is from Swordfish Isle, a hand puppet play that was offered as an added attraction to the marionette show The Dragon Snee Zee.  (Yes, we have pictures of that too, which you will see in a future edition of Pic of the Week.)  If you head for the shore this weekend and fancy yourself a world-class angler,  consider this picture  a cautionary tale of what happens when your slippery prey hooks you. Peruse more images from the fascinating Federal Theater Project collection online.

Memorial Day  marks the unofficial beginning of summer, when outdoor pools open and vacationers make for the beach.  But it is also a day when we remember the soldiers who died in American wars.  Last year In the Muse remembered the fallen with songs from Patriotic Melodies in the Performing Arts Encyclopedia, including “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” “The Marines’ Hymn,” and ”The U.S. Air Force Song” (aka “Off we go into the wild blue yonder”).  Read more about the history of Memorial Day in Today in History: May 30, and have a safe and happy long weekend!