Stories.
The 17th annual Prairieland Chautauqua is all about the stories. Some famous, some not quite famous. Some closer to all-but-forgotten.
All with a unique perspective of someone notable in history, specifically American history, this year.
Two of the weekend’s not-so-well-known stories will be brought to life by Sherri Mitchell and Robert Seufert — both of whom are familiar to Jacksonville theater patrons.
“They’re rather obscure 19th century folks,” Chautauqua program director Dave Truesdell said of the people being portrayed by Mitchell and Seufert. “So the audience will be learning about these unique folks during the performance.”
Mitchell’s performance will tell the story of Mary Anderson, a 19th century Shakespearean actress who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.
Seufert will tell about Cyrus Thomas, an archaeologist — among other things — who provided an explanation for the then-mysterious Indian mounds that dotted the Southeastern U.S. and the Mississippi River valley.
“There was a big dispute about what we know today as Indian mounds,” Truesdell said. Cyrus Thomas went about investigating and proved that it was early American Indians who had done them.”
Other stories of the weekend will be a bit better known, including the stories of first ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy — both told by Chicago actress Leslie Goddard.
“When I saw (Goddard) had two new programs and they were both first ladies … I kind of booked her early on,” Truesdell said, adding that he’s looking forward to watching her make the transition from being Kennedy on Saturday to being Roosevelt on Sunday.
Along with the type of story people have come to expect from the event since Wolf Fuhrig willed it into existence in 1999, those attending the event at First Christian Church will have a chance to watch a juggler/magician and listen to assorted musicians.
“All of these people you could call, in a way, storytellers,” Truesdell said. “Even bluegrass music is … tied to stories.”
