NOON at the NATIONAL - The National Theatre of Washington DC

The National Theatre is a 501.c.3.not-for-profit organization

175th Anniversary Campaign
NOON at the National
FREE - Thursday - APRIL 15th - at NOON

The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

SOME LUCKY BOOK-LOVER WILL WIN A FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE BOOK.
ANOTHER WILL WIN TWO TICKETS TO FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, OR SOME OTHER FUTURE MAINSTAGE SHOW OF THEIR CHOICE AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE.

MEET THE AUTHOR: RUTH SIMKIN
The Jagged Years of Ruthie J.:
A Doctor Recalls Her Teen-Age Years as a Mental Patient

Admission is FREE. Seating is limited. Tickets are required, and are distributed one half-hour prior to performance, on a first-come-first-served policy. One ticket only to each person in line. Information available at 202-783-3372.

Video Preview - The Book - http://www.jaggedyears.ca/JaggedYears/Book_Video_Trailer.html
Video Preview - The Author - http://www.jaggedyears.ca/JaggedYears/Video_with_Author.html

The Jagged Years of Ruthie J is an absorbing journey through the netherworld of 1960's psychiatry told with passion and humor by an indomitable spirit who became a doctor herself -- a gripping memoir by Ruth Simkin of Victoria, BC.

Now a respected physician, Simkin was once a patient confined in a psychiatric nightmare owing to teen rebellion and a diagnosis of epilepsy.

In a frosty Winnipeg of the 1960's, an eighteen year old's bizarre behavior lands her in the hands of the law. When tests point to epilepsy, then considered a mental illness, Ruthie J. is sent by her caring family to Chestnut Lodge in Maryland for treatment (the same institution immortalized in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.)

There she is traumatized by a sadistic psychiatrist, later himself committed, and struggles to retain her sanity in an environment of utter lunacy. Horror, friendship, love and laughter abound in this compelling memoir exposing an era's attitudes towards mental illness, epilepsy, sexuality and gender equality.

Told that she is "a lifer," Ruthie J's story traces a young woman's trials to survive and free herself from an absurd environment, to become a physician herself.

Ruth Simkin is a skilled public speaker who gives voice to the experience of both mental patient and physician, offering hope to those who, like Ruthie J., find themselves in unthinkable circumstances. The Jagged Years of Ruthie J. is available from Ekstasis Editions. Dr. Simkin's website, with links to her blog, is here:

http://www.ruthsimkin.ca/Dr._Ruth_Simkin/Home.html

THE SERIES
This salon-style series explores our heritage, culture and current events with an author reading and discussing a new book in the intimate and elegant Helen Hayes Gallery of the historic National Theatre. The comfortable setting provides an ideal forum for the public to engage in lively conversation with an author -- and perhaps acquire a book personally inscribed by its author -- all at midday, on a weekday, at a convenient downtown location.

NOON - THURSDAY MAY 20
MEET THE AUTHORS - JUDITH MARTIN AND JACOBINA MARTIN
Miss Manner's Guide to a Surprisingly Dignified Wedding:
Advice for the Bride, Her Family and All Civilized People
http://www.nationaltheatre.org/noon/noon_martin.htm

The program is supported by contributions from members of The National Theatre Circle.
175th Anniversary Campaign: Click here for information.