Albert Einstein – Portrayed by Larry Bounds

In 1919 with his General Theory of Relativity confirmed by experimental evidence, Albert Einstein arrived in America as the world’s most famous scientist. He was hailed as the man who changed our current conceptions of time and space. More than that, he arrived as a modest man with witty quotations, erratic hair, an ill-fitting suit and carrying a violin. He was a sensation! Today, when we think of the greatest scientist of all time, it is Einstein we picture. Meet him on the Chautauqua stage and discover why.

Erma Bombeck – Portrayed by Susan Marie Frontczak

The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank is a typical example of the clever observations of everyday life that made Erma Bombeck one of America’s best loved humorists for over 30 years. Three times a week more than 30 million people read her column At Wit’s End. Nine of her twelve books were bestsellers. When you meet Erma at Chautauqua, you will find yourself laughing at and learning from the foibles of being human.

Babe Ruth – Portrayed by Kevin Treu

Baseball is the Great American Pastime and even today the greatest name in baseball is Babe Ruth, aka “the Bambino” and “the Sultan of Swat.” For 22 seasons he played Major League Baseball as an amazing pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and a power-hitting batsman for the New York Yankees. He did it all. Bigger than life, boisterous, rough around the edges, Ruth defined the American spirit. At Chautauqua you can spend some time with the legend, hear his stories and relive a magical era in American sport.

Lucille Ball – Portrayed by Leslie Goddard

As a comedian, actress, television and film producer and studio executive, everybody loved Lucy. For four seasons her I Love Lucy television series was the most watched show in America. Time selected her as one of the 100 Most Important People of the Century. Meet Lucy on our Chautauqua stage and discover for yourself her superstar story.

Josephine Baker – Portrayed by Becky Stone

Josephine Baker from St. Louis, Missouri may be the most world-famous celebrity you have never heard of. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture. She was the most famous headliner at the Folies Bergére in Paris. During World War II she served in the French Resistance and was awarded France’s highest civilian and military honors. Her life and works inspired films, stage plays, musical compositions, paintings and the lives of current American celebrities like Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie. Meet this surprising and exciting talent on the Chautauqua stage, hear her story and join others in celebrating her achievements.

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