One-Woman Show Explores the Lives of Former First Ladies

Rye’s very own First Lady Barbara Bush –she was Barbara Pierce growing up here back in the day –was invited but can’t make it to the upcoming Rye Historical Society’s “Ladies First: A Story of First Ladies” luncheon March 3 at the American Yacht Club.

But former First Ladies Rachel Jackson, Julia Tyler, Mary Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jacqueline Kennedy will be there.

They will be brought back to life in a 90-minute, one-woman performance by Robin Lane, an actress, author, director and producer, who will explore the lives of these previous First Ladies. 

She has been bringing history to life since 1980 with her characters—demeaned, glorified and otherwise.

Her performance uses just a few costumed accessories, but is based on lots of painstaking research, including viewing films and photos and listening to available tapes to authenticate mannerisms and vocal inflections. 

Along the way, she has unearthed some intriguing facts. 

For instance, Ms. Tyler had delusions of grandeur, acted like royalty, wore a crown, sat on a throne, and was attended to by 12 ladies in waiting at weekly luncheon soirees, according to Ms. Lane.

Mary Lincoln suffered from manic depression. Rachel Jackson was an item with Andrew before she was divorced and widowed, and Eleanor and Jackie had marital problems of their own, all of which will be mentioned in the performance, according to Lane.

Ms. Lane has been staging her original one-woman plays in theaters, schools and museums across the country, according to Sheri Jordan, executive director of the Rye Historical Society.

“Susan Morison, one of our Board members, caught a Lane ‘First Ladies’ performance for the Darien Historical Society two years back, never forgot it, and mentioned it to us a possible event,” recalled Ms. Jordan. “We have already staged several events in honor of Rye’s 350^th anniversary, and we thought the ‘First Ladies’ show would be natural for our popular annual history luncheon.

Jordan added that former First Lady Barbara Bush was invited to the event, but declined in a letter stating because of her age (85) she was in no shape to travel.

Like Barbara Bush, many of the first ladies—from Abigail Adams to Michelle Obama— have had an impact on the country and its society, morals and fashion.

“They placed their imprint on America in the same way that George Washington did as the first president. Kids today have trouble looking back on history, and we try to bring it into focus by saying Rye was already an established town in 1640, long before there was an American Revolution, and that helps them focus," she said.

By the time students finish high school, they can knowledgably debate the impact of most of the presidents on America’s growth and development, Jordan said in announcing the luncheon. Yet very little time and discussion are spent on their respective First Ladies. However, the duties of the First Lady have been open to interpretation and dispute since Martha Washington reluctantly stepped into the position.

"What about the First Ladies?" Jordan asked. "What did they think of contemporary events? How did they influence their husbands and their country?"

 Jordan pointed out that the duties of the First Lady have always been subject to the expectations of her generation, to her relationship with her spouse, and to her own personality. Some have been more comfortable with a ceremonial role; others spread their influence through chosen platforms, while others have actively assisted in furthering the agenda of the president, she said.

Regardless of the way in which they fulfill their role, their actions have been both lauded and condemned by the nation—usually in the same breath, according to Jordan. 

Fascination with First Ladies has always existed, but a new generation of serious historians is focusing on the role of First Ladies and how they have influenced and impacted history, as seen by the recent release of books on Abigail Adams, Mary Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt, among others, Jordan said. One of the constants revealed through this research is that the role of First Lady has always been more than merely wife, and it has always reflected the zeitgeist of the political age, she said.

"The production of the 'First Ladies' will help the Rye Historical Society focus on the role women have played in the presidency," Jordan said. “Since our luncheons are attended mostly by women, the upcoming performance of 'The First Ladies’ is proving quite a popular draw –our Board president Laura Brett has already sold 18 tickets and one of our British members, Janine Scott, has created a lot of interest among the expat [as in expatriate] community. We are appealing to an interesting cross-section of women of all ages.”

The luncheon starts at noon. The performance begins at 1 p.m. Special boutique vendor selections will offer items for sale before lunch and after the show as well. Proceeds benefit the educational and programming activities of the Rye Historical Society. 

For reservations or more information: The Rye Historical Society, Square House Museum, 1 Purchase St.; Phone: 914-967-5888; www.ryehistoricalsociety.org.