by ASHLEY MILLER

for the Sequim Gazette

Mark your calendars for a night with Samuel Clemens as you’ve never seen, read or heard him before.

Olympic Theatre Arts presents “An Evening with Mark Twain,” performed by Kurt Sutton, Feb. 25-27.

Clemens, better known by his pen name, Mark Twain, was the American author and humorist most famous for his novels “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” — called “The Great American Novel” — and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”

Clemens grew up in Hannibal, Mo., which later provided the setting for his characters Huck and Tom. He achieved great success as a writer and public speaker, his wit and satire earning great praise from critics and peers.

Clemens often entertained family, friends and dignitaries in his parlor, singing and playing guitar, banjo and harmonica.

Sutton has toured and performed “An Evening with Mark Twain” for more than five years in theaters and at events all over the U.S.

“It’s really a combination of Samuel Clemens and his character Mark Twain,” Sutton explained. “People can expect to laugh, sing along and enjoy some nice clean humor.”

“An Evening with Mark Twain” isn’t a musical, Sutton emphasized, but it does include songs the audience is sure to recognize and is encouraged to sing along with Sutton.

“I started reading Samuel Clemens in college and I ate it all up,” Sutton said. “His writing style stayed with me all of my life and I have everything he’s ever written, as well as probably everything that’s been written about him.”

Loren Johnson, Olympic Theatre Arts business manager, encourages families of all ages to attend one of the three performances.

“This is an opportunity to enjoy a new variety of show,” Johnson said. “We are hoping to do several more like this between our home productions.”