(Minneapolis) A screenplay based on the novel "Simon's Night" by Minnesota favorite son Jon Hassler will receive a staged reading January 27, at 7:30 pm, at the Crown Theaters in Block E, on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. This is a free event and open to the public.

"Simon's Night" is the tale of retired English Professor Simon P. Shea, who has resigned himself to living out his days in an old folks home when a series of bizarre events and strange encounters propel him on a journey to regain his autonomy and independence. The New York Times Book Review said of the novel, "Jon Hassler's themes are mature and important - the tenacity of mind and love, the unforgivable waste of good brains and useful people simply because they are no longer young, the unarguable fact that there is truly no half-way station, like the Norman Home, between life and death."

The project was awarded a 2001 Minnesota Independent Film Fund Award to assist in its development. The film adaptation is by writer and Minnesota native Emil Kresl who has been mentored by screenwriter Barry Morrow (Rain Man) for this project. Two other Minnesota natives are set to direct and produce the project - award-winning director Ali Selim and veteran film and TV producer Kate Lehmann.

"We're eager to hear how an audience reacts to the script before we delve into production," says Lehmann. "We think this is a film that will have great universal appeal but will especially resonate with our aging population, particularly people involved with issues related to seniors as well as seniors themselves."

"Simon is a terrific character," adds Selim, "and the story is full of great scenes and comic moments. We're looking forward to hearing it come alive at the reading."

Author Jon Hassler's dry humor and poignant reflections have been entertaining readers for years through his series of best-selling novels set in rural and small town Minnesota. Through the reprise of characters from novel to novel, he has developed a broad and loyal fan base. In 1990, Hassler's novel "The Green Journey" was adapted for television, starring Angela Lansbury as the irrepressible Agatha McGee. Hassler's latest novel "The Staggerford Flood," was published in October, 2002.

The reading of "Simon's Night" is presented by the Screenwriters Workshop and will feature the talents of local professional actors. The Screenwriters' Workshop is a non-profit organization created to help foster the growth, development and education of the local screenwriting community. For further information, please call the MN Film and TV Board at 612-332-6493.