The Ashland Chautauqua will kick off its 2025 event with a tribute to Lucille Ball at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.
The beloved star of “I Love Lucy” will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Leslie Goddard during the Breaking Barriers event. The performance will take place at the Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell in Ashland’s Brookside Park, according to an announcement.
Lucille Ball, who starred as the iconic Lucy Ricardo, captivated audiences with her comedic talent from 1951 to 1957. The show remains popular today, thanks to reruns and streaming services. Ball’s character was known for her wild schemes that often put her husband Ricky in humorous predicaments. The show also featured their neighbors, Fred and Ethel, who were frequently pulled into the antics. Ball’s comedic timing and expressions significantly contributed to the show’s success.
The performance will follow a traditional Chautauqua format. This includes a first-person monologue by Goddard, a Q&A session where audience members can ask questions of Lucille Ball, and another Q&A with Goddard about Ball’s life and career.
Plenty of workshops and performances on tap
In addition to the evening performance there will be two workshops July 15. The youth workshop, titled “We Love Lucy,” will be held at the Freer Home at 1 p.m. The workshop will allow children and adults to engage with the material by acting out a Lucy script. The adult workshop, “The Best Sitcoms of the 1950s,” will take place at the Ashland Public Library at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16. The session will delve deeper into early television programming.
The Chautauqua event will run July 15-19, featuring a variety of performances and workshops that highlight five characters who broke barriers in their respective fields. On July 16, scholar Deleasa Randall-Griffiths will portray Frances Perkins, the first woman in a U.S. president’s cabinet. The following evening, Larry Bounds will present Wernher von Braun, a controversial figure who played a significant role in both the German Third Reich and the American space program.
On July 18, Anne Pasquale will take the stage as Annie Sullivan, the teacher of Helen Keller. The event will conclude on June 19 with Jeremy Meier portraying Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. Each of these scholars will also lead workshops throughout the week.
Music to help kick things off
The opening night lantern will begin at 7 p.m. with a performance by SHaK, a musical group showcasing various styles. This will be followed by a welcome and previews from the scholars portraying characters throughout the week. The audience will have the opportunity to meet Lucille Ball and learn more about her life beyond her comedic roles.
The Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell is an accessible venue with ample parking. All events at the Ashland Chautauqua are free and open to the public. The event is supported by the Ohio Arts Council, the City of Ashland’s Parks & Recreation Department, and local businesses and residents.
