Legendary actor Hal Holbrook performs "Mark Twain Tonight!," 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, State Theatre for the Arts, Easton.

It's the 60th consecutive year for the one-man show by Holbrook.

An honors project about Mark Twain at Denison University led to Holbrook's one-man show.

According to Playbill, his first "Mark Twain Tonight!" performance was in 1954 at then Lock Haven State Teachers College.

His first TV performance as Mark Twain was in 1956 on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Holbrook presented "Mark Twain Tonight!" off-Broadway in 1959.

Holbrook's overnight success was as surprising to him as anyone. "The critics went wild." (Associated Press). "Mr. Holbrook's material is uproarious, his ability to hold an audience by acting is brilliant." (New York Times). "Uncanny. A dazzling display of virtuosity." (The New Yorker). "One of the treasures of the American Theatre." (Life magazine).

"Mark Twain Tonight!" was telecast in 1967 on CBS. Holbrook received an Emmy.

Holbrook's "Twain" first played on Broadway in 1966, for which he received a Tony, and again in 1977 and 2005. Holbrook was 80-years-old during his most recent Broadway run, older for the first time than the character he was portraying.

He has portrayed Twain in more than 2,000 performances, more than even Samuel Langhorne Clemens did.

"Mark Twain Tonight!" is believed to be the longest-running one-man show ever. Holbrook adds to his Twain material every year, editing and changing it to fit the times and has mined. He has no set program. He chooses from some 16 hours of material as he goes along.

Holbrook has some 130 credits in film and television.

He has been nominated for 12 Emmys and has received five Emmys.

He had roles in two sitcoms: "Designing Women" and "Evening Shade," and has made guest appearances on "The West Wing," "The Sopranos," "NCIS," "ER" and "Sons of Anarchy."

He received a supporting actor Oscar nomination for "Into The Wild" (2007). He played the character, Deep Throat, in "All The President's Men" (1976).

Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132