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Hear her story in her own words. When it comes to fame, few celebrities have ever topped Lucille Ball. Her dazzling comedic talent helped make “I Love Lucy” the most-watched show in the U.S. for four of its six seasons. Her skyrocketing celebrity enabled her to wield significant influence on the making of her show, both in terms of production and technology and she became the first woman to own and run a major television production studio. More than six decades after “I Love Lucy” ended, Ball remains one of America’s most beloved entertainers.
Leslie Goddard (Lucille Ball)
Leslie Goddar is an award-winning historiam, author and actress who has been presenting historical portrayals for more than 20 years. She has performed for Greenville Chautauqua audiences as Amelia Earhart, Mary Pickford, Bette Davis, Alice Paul, Jackie Kennedy and Georgia O’Keeffe. During more than a decade working as a museum educator and director, she developed a passion for mid-century American history, popular culture and women’s history. In 2013, she launched her own business as a full-time solo performer and lecturer and now regularly presents more than 400 programs annually. A lifelong resident of Illinois, she has written three books on Chicago history. She graduated from Stanford University and holds a master’s degree in theater from the University of Illinois, as well as a PhD in interdisciplinary studies from Northwestern University.
Based in Greenville, SC, Chautauqua History Comes Alive is interactive theater and the performances offer an astonishing journey into the past allowing the audience to hear stories of the characters in their own words. This year’s character performances are Erma Bombeck (Saturday, June 7); Babe Ruth (Tuesday, June 10); Josephine Baker (Thursday, June 12); Lucille Ball (Saturday, June 14); and Albert Einstein (Tuesday, June 17). Doors open one hour before show, seating is first come, first served. The Chautauqua Festival at the Transylvania County Library is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Library.
