Scholars bring history to life through impersonations

Monday, May 31, 1999 | 10:05 a.m.

Ask President Theodore Roosevelt about the efforts in Kosovo and he would have probably been supportive.

Ask him about Clinton's private affairs, and he probably wouldn't have hesitated to utter a few unfavorable remarks.

As a die-hard moralist Roosevelt believed he had to be above reproach, according to Doug Mishler, program coordinator for the Nevada Humanities Committee.

And even though it was common to have a mistress, Roosevelt wanted to reinstate a public whipping post for men who mistreated their wives in such a manner.

Mishler knows.

He's been intensely studying the man for nearly two years -- memorizing his books, letters and biographies to understand everything Roosevelt said and did.

And Mishler had better know it all. On June 7 he will don a black suit, round spectacles and a stick-on mustache, then hit the stage as the 26th president of the United States to talk about such issues as foreign affairs, construction of the Panama Canal and if asked, his disappointment in President Howard Taft.

To make history come alive scholars and history buffs such as Mishler are embellishing the art of impersonation.

Prominent figures who helped shape America in the early part of the century will discuss their thoughts, attitudes and values -- through such impersonators -- at the Rainbow Library Amphitheater June 7-10.

"The Second Las Vegas Chautauqua: The American Century 1899-1999" will feature monologues by physicist Robert Oppenheimer, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, feminist Margaret Sanger and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.

"They are not actors, but 'scholar performers' if you will," Mishler said of the group. "Almost all of them have advanced degrees in humanities."

Each Chautauquan has studied the character intensely, he said. For most, the character evolved from their careers and backgrounds.

The impersonators include college professors and historians. Mishler himself holds a doctorate in U.S. history and taught at the University of Nevada, Reno.

What separates Chautauquans from actors is the question and answer period that follows their monologues. Audience members can ask the characters anything, given it comes from that time period.

"That's what makes it more fun," he said.

And much more of a challenge. "You can't cover Theodore Roosevelt in six months," he said. "He wrote 36 books and over 100,000 letters. He's one of the giants of the American presidency. Their ideas and values often mirror what we have today," Mishler said.

Sanger, who originated Planned Parenthood, might offer her opinions on today's high teen pregnancy rate. Ask Roosevelt about a president having an affair in the White House, global economy or peacekeeping missions in foreign countries "he'll have an opinion," Mishler said.

"Chautauquans capture the essence and spirit of the person," he said. "It's less to be theatrical, although that's what makes it work. The really good Chautauquans bring to life the character."