A Conversation With David Budbill

Wolcott writer David Budbill's art has taken many forms.  Among the plays he's written, Judevine is probably the best known.  Since it opened in the 1980s, the play, which portrays life in a fictitious Northeast Kingdom town, has been produced dozens of times in 22 states.  His new play, A Song For My Father, opens this week at Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier.

As a poet, Budbill often medidates on the complexity of living simply. His newest book of poems, Happy Life, is due out next year.

As a performer, reciting his work to the accompaniment of music, Budbill can be provocative and political. Listen 

If you've got comments or questions for David Budbill, email them to vermontedition@vpr.net.

We also talk with UVM hockey standout Brayden Irwin.  Just off a stellar season that took the Catamounts to the NCAA Tournament, the UVM senior signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and spent the final days of the NHL regular season in the pros. Listen

Finally, VPR classical host Joe Goetz previews this Friday's UVM Lane Series performance by the Bowed Piano Ensemble.  Instead of tickling the ivories, the group makes music by plucking, bowing and striking the strings of a grand piano. Listen

Click here to listen to an extended version of Joe's bowed piano story Listen