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Image for event: A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy

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A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy

2025-05-15 18:30:00 2025-05-15 20:00:00 America/New_York A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy Join us for this exciting lecture by Joseph Rubin, American Musical Production's Executive Director, about the Broadway musical, "Dearest Enemy," that opened in Akron 100 years ago. Please register. Main Library - Auditorium

Thursday, May 15
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-05-15 18:30:00 2025-05-15 20:00:00 America/New_York A Revolutionary Barrel of Fun: The History of Dearest Enemy Join us for this exciting lecture by Joseph Rubin, American Musical Production's Executive Director, about the Broadway musical, "Dearest Enemy," that opened in Akron 100 years ago. Please register. Main Library - Auditorium

Main Library

Auditorium

Join us for this exciting lecture by Joseph Rubin, American Musical Production's Executive Director, about the Broadway musical, "Dearest Enemy," that opened in Akron 100 years ago. Please register.

Please register in person, online, or by phone at 330.643.9030. 

Whether you are a Broadway enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by Akron's rich cultural heritage, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience.

As Akron commemorates its Bicentennial, there is no better way to celebrate the city’s vibrant artistic heritage than by exploring one of Broadway’s hidden treasures. Join the Library for an engaging lecture on the history, creation, and restoration of "Dearest Enemy," the first musical comedy by Rodgers and Hart, which premiered in Akron a century ago. This presentation will highlight the Akron Beacon Journal's acclaim for the production, calling it “the biggest theatrical innovation on record here in the past 100 years.”

Led by the esteemed Rubin, this multimedia lecture will transport you through the fascinating story of "Dearest Enemy"—from its Broadway debut to its enduring impact. Discover rare recordings from the original cast, never-before-seen photographs, and artifacts from the show’s initial run. Attendees will also enjoy an exclusive look at a 1955 television adaptation of the musical.

Contact the Special Collections Division for more information at 330-643-9030 or speccollections@akronlibrary.org

Save the date! In celebration of Akron's Bicentennial, the Library will host a live performance of "Dearest Enemy" at the Goodyear Theater on June 21, 2025. For more information about upcoming Akron Bicentennial events, check out the website, https://akron200.org.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Music | History |

Main Library

Phone: 330.643.9000
Branch manager
Michael Bianchi

Hours
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Mon, Jun 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 09 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 10 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 11 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 12 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jun 13 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 14 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Drive-up Window closes fifteen minutes before the building closes for the day.

Main Library, located in the heart of downtown Akron, combines compelling public space with meaningful and relevant public library services for all members of our community. Since opening in 2004, the downtown library welcomes more than one million visitors each year.

Subject divisions include: Business, Government & Science, Culture & AV, Magazines & Newspapers, Special Collections (local history & genealogy), TechZone@Main, Teen, and a 12,000 square feet Children's Library.

Special services available at Main Library include: a Patent & Trademark Resource Center; U.S. Passport and Notary services; a Microbusiness Center; a Maker Space; a resource lab for early childhood educators; and regularly scheduled computer training classes. Also available at Main Library are more than 125 public access computers, color photocopiers/printers, laminating, scanning, faxing, and free Wi-Fi.

Specialized spaces include a 425-seat auditorium, public meeting rooms, and a used bookstore. An interior glass block walkway leads to a 600-space parking garage owned by the City of Akron. An outdoor amphitheater and landscaped park complete the complex.

Upcoming Events

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Sat, Jun 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab

Sat, Jun 13, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Atrium,Auditorium,Meeting Room 1,Meeting Room 2AB

Sat, Jun 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Sat, Jun 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
TechZone

Mon, Jun 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
TechZone

Tue, Jun 16, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Teen Meeting Room

Cancelled
Tue, Jun 16, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Tue, Jun 16, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jun 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jun 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Wed, Jun 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Wed, Jun 17, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
TechZone

Cancelled
Thu, Jun 18, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Thu, Jun 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Cancelled
Thu, Jun 18, 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Jun 18, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen Meeting Room

Thu, Jun 18, 6:15pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jun 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Library Programming Room

Fri, Jun 19, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Sat, Jun 20, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room 2AB

Tue, Jun 23, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Tue, Jun 23, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jun 24, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jun 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
TechZone

Wed, Jun 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jun 25, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Quiet Study Room 1

Thu, Jun 25, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jun 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jun 25, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jun 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jun 25, 6:15pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jun 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Library Programming Room

Fri, Jun 26, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Sat, Jun 27, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Special Collections

Sat, Jun 27, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Auditorium

Mon, Jun 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Mon, Jun 29, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
115 E Market St Akron, Ohio 44308

Tue, Jun 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab
Registration is now closed

Rescheduled
Tue, Jun 30, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
New date Tuesday, June 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Tue, Jun 30, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Tue, Jun 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Teen Meeting Room

Tue, Jun 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Atrium,Meeting Room 3

Wed, Jul 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Wed, Jul 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
TechZone

Wed, Jul 01, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
TechZone

Thu, Jul 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 02, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 02, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 02, 6:15pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Library Programming Room

Fri, Jul 03, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Mon, Jul 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Library Programming Room

Mon, Jul 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
TechZone
Registration opens Monday, June 15 2026 at 10:00am

Tue, Jul 07, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 07, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Wed, Jul 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Programming Room

Wed, Jul 08, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Teen Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 08, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
TechZone

Thu, Jul 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 09, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 09, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center Space A

Thu, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab,Children's Library Programming Room

Thu, Jul 09, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Auditorium

Fri, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Library Programming Room

Fri, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Sat, Jul 11, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Atrium

Sat, Jul 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Children's Library Educator Lab

Sat, Jul 11, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Computer Lab 1,Computer Lab 2,TechZone
Registration opens Saturday, June 20 2026 at 10:00am

Mon, Jul 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Library Programming Room

Mon, Jul 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
TechZone
Registration opens Monday, June 22 2026 at 10:00am