Five Powerful Women on Earth to speak at the US Presidential Service Center

Producer Martin CJ Mongiello presents GROVER'S FIRST LADY, FRANCES FOLSOM CLEVELAND. First Lady of the United States of America with four other powerful women. An intimate revelation of five women in the world as portrayed by the acclaimed Jessica Michna. Shows at 7 pm on Sat 6-16 Golda Meir, Mon 6-18 Helen Keller, Wed 6-20 First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland, Fri 6-22 Eleanor Roosevelt - "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?", and Sun 6-24 Sari Semple. Hosted by The US Presidential Service Center and The Hatcher Hughes Pulitzer Prize Winning Theater at 301 Cleveland Avenue, Grover, NC 28073 704-937-2940.

(Featured right, Prime Minister Golda Meir)

These are the shows you've heard about featuring women crying in the audience during the performance, yelling from the First Lady and the edge of feeling slightly scared while watching, the horrors no Curator will allow being discussed - let alone stated on any world stage, the vicious nature of children who steal from their parents, the joys and sorrows of the most powerful women in the world, their weddings, the laughter, multiple bankruptcies and foreclosures, light-hearted jokes, their careers, and the uplifting celebration of life, that until now, was forbidden to be told.

"Within the lies taught and printed - you shall only now come to know the real truth." Martin CJ Mongiello, former White House Aide to the President of the United States of America.

www.presidentialservicecenter.org 

Ten dollars ($10) per person at the door or call in advance to the Box Office of the Hatcher Hughes Pulitzer Prize Winning Theater at the Presidential Service Center with your credit card to 704-937-2940.

(Featured left, Sari Semple)

Shows at 7 pm on Sat 6-16 Golda Meir, Mon 6-18 Helen Keller, Wed 6-20 First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland, Fri 6-22 Eleanor Roosevelt - "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?", and Sun 6-24 Sari Semple.

Golda Meir - “The Journey Home”. How does a girl born in Ukraine, raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, travel a path that will lead her to become Prime Minister of Israel? This informative, entertaining program, developed by Jessica Michna, explores that rather circuitous route. What roadblocks and detours were thrown in Golda's way and how did she overcome them? The journey is a fascinating one, filled with joy, sorrow, seriousness, and humor. Let Golda, as portrayed by Ms. Michna, tell you in her own words.

Helen Keller – “A Life Nearly Lost”. In the late nineteenth century, a little girl struggled out of the depths of fear. At the age of two, Helen experienced a life-threatening illness. She was plunged into a dark, silent world. Anne Sullivan, a determined young teacher, would find the key to unlock Helen’s prison. Through Anne’s diligence and perseverance, Helen would become a world-renowned speaker and advocate for the disabled. Meet the blind woman yourself, in her mature years. She may ask to touch your hands and hold them or to be allowed to feel your face. Some guests have been repulsed by this and pulled away so please inform those in your party to avoid any discomfort or anger.

(Featured right, Helen Keller)

Frances Folsom Cleveland - Frances Clara Folsom Cleveland Preston was married to the President of the United States Grover Cleveland and was the First Lady of the United States from 1886 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897. She originally had the first name Frank (named for an uncle), but later decided to adopt the feminine variant Frances. A longtime close friend of Oscar Folsom, Grover Cleveland, at age 27, met his future wife shortly after she was born. He took an avuncular interest in the child, buying her a baby carriage and otherwise doting on her as she grew up. When her father, Oscar Folsom, died in a carriage accident on July 23, 1875, without having written a will, the court appointed Cleveland administrator of his estate. This brought Cleveland into still more contact with Frances, then age 11.

Eleanor Roosevelt – “Brother Can You Spare a Dime”. Upon Roosevelt’s election in 1932, he remarked to a friend that the country’s problems must be solved immediately or he would be the last President. The First Lady would take on the role of advocate for those American’s most seriously affected by the Great Depression.

Sari (Ma) Semple – “The Truth, As I Recollect”. In the great oral tradition of the storyteller, Sari Semple takes us back to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of the mid-nineteenth century. As Sari spins her tales the listener is transported to those hills. The stories blend together the folklore and the gritty reality of life in the ridges and hollers of Appalachia. Young and old alike will be spellbound by the rich tapestry of words woven by Sari. She is the First Lady of Appalachia.

(Featured left, Eleanor Roosevelt)

About the Actor, Jessica Michna. Originally from Pennsylvania, Jessica Michna developed a love of American history at an early age, visiting the many Revolutionary and Civil War sites in the area. Her love of both history and the theater was encouraged by an older brother. During her high school years, she appeared in many theatrical productions and designed and constructed costumes. She was offered a scholarship to the Goodman School of Theater in Chicago.

Jessica earned a degree in psychology from the UW and worked as a research and teaching assistant. Then after several years in the healthcare field, Jessica decided to return to her two great loves, history and the theater.

The result was the birth of her business; “First Impressions”. After two years of research, script writing, costume construction, and rehearsals, Mary Todd Lincoln was ready for her public. Currently, Jessica portrays five Presidential First Ladies and eight other notable women. Her latest characters are Laura Ingalls Wilder, Golda Meir, and Frances Cleveland.

Jessica makes her home with her husband, Michael in Racine, Wisconsin. Michael assists Jessica with scheduling and stage management.

The Michna's share their home with a temperamental Welsh Pembroke Corgi by the name of Wendy. When not performing, Mrs. Michna enjoys gardening, cooking, sewing, and writing. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal from the US Presidential Service Center.

About The Presidential Service Center? A museum on support and protection of the U.S. Presidency

Moving into 2019, we have had over 30,000 visitors to the center with the museum and been featured on CNN International, PBS, and FOX to 2.6 billion viewers. We've been featured in 160+ newspapers and magazines on earth, in just ten years. 

As you arrive for the first time to celebrate supporting and protecting the presidency of the United States of America, you'll feel a sense of pride and momentum building. Presently encased in a 5,700 square foot mansion and museum, the center celebrates how most President's grew up in a simple home. Few were born into wealth and sprawling estates.