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Events to remember James Earl Jones planned in Manistee Co.

James Earl Jones, pictured here in 2014, followed in the footsteps of actors like Sidney Poitier, Paul Robeson and Canada Lee, all of whom refused to be limited by stereotypical roles.
Jesse Dittmar for The Washington Post
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Getty Images
James Earl Jones, pictured here in 2014, followed in the footsteps of actors like Sidney Poitier, Paul Robeson and Canada Lee, all of whom refused to be limited by stereotypical roles.

The community will come together in memory of the late actor and EGOT winner on Jan. 17, which would have been his 94th birthday.

The celebrated actor James Earl Jones began his career at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee. This Friday, the community will come together to honor his life and work.

Jones was a initially a stage carpenter at the Ramsdell in the 1950s, but he soon began performing. His first role on stage was the titular character in Shakespeare's "Othello."

He died in September at the age of 93.

On Friday, Jan. 17, the Manistee community will celebrate Jones on his birthday in a two-part event.

At 5 p.m. at the Ramsdell Theatre, local musicians, students and community members will give presentations. Students from Brethren — where Jones graduated high school — will read portions of the book "Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found his Voice." Jones's cousin Terry Connolly is also scheduled to speak.

Then at 7:30 p.m., participants are invited to the Vogue Theater for a presentation about Jones's days in Hollywood followed by a screening of the 1989 film "Field of Dreams."

All events are free. Tickets for the Vogue Theater must be picked up in person in advance at the Vogue box office.

Dr. Amanda Sewell is IPR's music director.