East Coast critic returning to hometown for lecture

SIKESTON, Mo. -- One of Sikeston's most famous sons will return home next week to deliver a lecture at the Sikeston Depot Cultural and Historical Center.

Sikeston native Terry Teachout -- a theater and film critic for The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker, an author of several books and a member of the National Council on the Arts -- will deliver a lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the depot, 116 W. Malone Ave.

Depot administrator Delilah Tayloe said Teachout will discuss his career and writing for publications and books.

The talk is part of a lecture series started in fall 2003 that highlights local authors, topics and history.

"The folks of Sikeston are awfully proud of some of the authors that sprang from these roots," Tayloe said. "It was only natural to contact Terry Teachout."

Even though Teachout has gone on to become one of the East Coast's elite critics, he hasn't forgotten his hometown, Tayloe said. Teachout commonly refers to his roots in his daily Weblog, "About Last Night," and wrote a book called "City Limits: Memories of a Small Town Boy," focusing on his childhood in Sikeston.

"This guy travels all around the East Coast and experiences many things, but he continues to draw from his experience here," Tayloe said.

Tayloe said she's expecting more than 60 people to attend the lecture, which will be an informal affair. After Teachout's lecture those attending will have a chance to speak with the author.

Teachout's latest book is about writer and critic H.L. Mencken titled "The Skeptic: A Life of H.L. Mencken."

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Want to go?

* What: "An Evening with Terry Teachout"

* Where: Sikeston Depot Historical and Cultural Center, 116 W. Malone Ave.

* When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

* Info: (573) 481-9967