This page gives descriptions of the shows Lynn is currently performing. At the bottom of the page you will find suggestions for shows to choose depending on your particular audience.
Programs Created and Performed
by Lynn Ruehlmann
Spy! The Story of Civil War Spy Elizabeth VanLew
Elizabeth
Van Lew was a remarkable, daring woman. She lived in Richmond, Virginia,
for most of her life. Although her father was a wealthy businessman
who owned slaves, Elizabeth was passionately against the practice. Before
the war broke out, she and her mother freed all the family slaves, and
during the war her dedication to the cause of abolishing slavery led
her to begin spying for the Union. General Ulysses S. Grant himself
credited her with sending him extremely valuable information during
the war. This is the story of how Elizabeth Van Lew became a spy. It
is the story of how she smuggled messages into Libby Prison in a pot
of food; how she saved her favorite horse, Chieftain, from soldiers;
and how she hid escaped prisoners in her home and sent them to safety
through her own underground railroad. Here also is the story of how
she earned the nickname "Crazy Bet" when she began affecting
dementia in order to avoid suspicion. Much of the material in this story
comes from the diary that Elizabeth kept all during the war and which
she buried in her back yard when she feared it would be discovered.
For more information: click here for a printable PDF page
The Odyssey
"The Odyssey" is the original road trip! This is the story of Odysseus' 17 year journey home after winning the Trojan War. He encounters the Cyclops–the one-eyed monster–and the bewitching Sirens. Circe turns Odysseus' crew into pigs but releases them when she falls in love with Odysseus. Meanwhile, back home, all the eligible young men are demanding that Odysseus' wife, Penelope, choose one of them to marry in his absence. "The Odyssey" has been classic literature for thousands of years. In this performance Lynn Ruehlmann makes these riveting stories accessible to contemporary audiences through the lively language of her retelling. In the tradition of the minstrel described in Homer's "Odyssey," Lynn plays Greek folk tunes as well as sound effects on a lap harp, weaving the music between the tales.
For more information: click here for a printable PDF page
Homespun!
In stories about everything from squeaking through Driver’s Ed classes and getting her first ticket, to slamming a door and making the family’s dining room ceiling collapse, Lynn puts her own personal spin on life’s everyday trials. This is personal narrative stirred with comedy.
Whale Tales and Mermaids
Pirates
and dolphins! Mermaids and finback whales! Humans have been enchanted
with the sea and its inhabitants since ancient times. In this show, science
meets literature as Lynn Ruehlmann tells simple versions of some of the
earliest myths about whales, along with a folktale about a mermaid who
can't help chasing Long John the Whale. The audience will hear what a
whale sounds like underwater and learn how humpbacks can blow bubble nets
to catch krill for dinner. Audience members will participate during the
show and come away understanding what makes whales so awe-inspiring and
so endearing.
Tales
Of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians recorded stories that are powerful and delightful for today's audiences. Highlighting the cultural, religious and everyday life of the Egyptians from long ago, Lynn Ruehlmann performs a charming Egyptian version of Cinderella; a touching story about Osiris and Isis, the Egyptian god and goddess; and an exciting tale about a prince who overcomes a crocodile and a water monster. Throughout the program, the audience is actively involved with many forms of participation. A colorful backdrop of Egyptian images and an array of unique rhythm instruments help set the stage for students to travel back in time to the land of the pharaohs.
Perseus: A Greek Hero and his Myth Adventures
Greek
myths teach us about our human character traits but in stories that are
bigger than life. In this production of the story of Perseus, audience
members join storyteller Lynn Ruehlmann on stage to help act out the tale,
using whimsical masks and props, while the entire audience becomes the
Greek chorus as they participate in refrains during Lynn's telling. Once
audiences know characters from this story, they will recognize them showing
up in world literature: the Gorgons with their snake hair and gaze that
turns their viewer to stone, King Atlas who holds up the world, Andromeda
who marries Perseus and becomes one of the major constellations,
and Pegasus, legendary winged horse.
In a Kingdom Far Away
New to some but comfortable and familiar to others, these are the fairy tales everyone needs for growing up. These are the stories we can hear over and over and enjoy in new ways as we hear them at different ages. The program includes favorites "Rapunzel" and "Thorn Rosa."
Steadfast
And Spirited: Stories of the American Revolution
Join Lynn Ruehlmann as she tells tales from the American Revolution, from a storyabout the Stamp Act, to the stories of Deborah Sampson (a female soldier in the war), Peggy Shippen Arnold (Benedict Arnold's wife), and Phillis Wheatley (a slave who earned fame and respect as a published poet). Through these adventures the students will learn about the bravery and tenacity displayed by those on both sides of the battlefield.
For more information: click here for a printable PDF page
It
Happened In The White House: True stories of
the lives of the eight Virginia presidents and their wives
Virginia is known as the Mother of Presidents. Taking on different characters for each story, Lynn brings to life the history of the eight presidents who were born in Virginia and the roles played by their wives. These human interest stories reveal vital events in the history of the United States including experiences of George and Martha Washington at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War, Thomas Jefferson's writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the heroism of Dolley Madison during the War of 1812, also known as James Madison's War. There's a story about James and Elizabeth Monroe saving the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette from the guillotine, as well as stories about why William Henry Harrison was only president for one month, how Tyler met and married his second wife during his presidency, and why Zachary Taylor didn't vote for himself. Last, is the story of how Edith Wilson became known as the first Lady President and how Woodrow Wilson created the League of Nations, precursor of the United Nations. This show proves that truth is better than fiction.
For more information: click here for a printable PDF page
Quilting Aesop
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Lynn's animated portrayals of the characters in Aesop's Fables keep audiences laughing as the stories model respect, friendship, loyalty, independent thinking and self-reliance. Children stay involved through frequent group participation. Some are also invited onstage to button panels with pictures of each story onto the quilt that serves as backdrop.
Greek and Grand
Through familiar and less well-known myths, audiences
see how Greek culture is still part of our lives today. The story of Athena
and Arachne gave us the word arachnids, the peacock's tail holds the watchful
eyes of Argus, and a mischievous baby Hermes created the world's first
lute and then the notation to write down music. Lynn's tellings are filled
with surprises--paper cutting, audience participation, genuine panpipes,
and Greek folk tunes she plays on a folk harp.
Around the World and Home Again: A storytelling sampler
This potpourri of tales includes one folktale, one literary story, one historical story, one personal story and one myth. Some stories are filled with drama, others with laughter, and each one is a gem. Audiences love the range of tale types, and hearing the variety of ways stories can be told..
Clued In
Come along with Lynn on a storytelling adventure. You'll meet Ollie the Orangutang (don't call him a puppet to his face) as he plays "Who Am I Now?" You'll hear riddle stories and find out if you can figure out the answers.You'll watch paper cut stories unfold and see if you can identify the pictures before they are completely cut out.
Squawks, Squeals, Ribbits and Roars
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Chock-a-block with stories and songs about animals and other loveable,
noisy creatures, this program is designed to appeal to young listeners.
They will sing songs, laugh with Jean-Claude, the shy but stage-struck
dragon, and join in with fingerplay actions and story refrains.
| Here
are suggestions for shows to fit particular audiences. Some shows
are included under more than one group heading since Lynn adapts
those shows to be age appropriate, if needed. Adult organizations, festivals, retreats: The Odyssey Spy! The Story of Civil War Spy Elizabeth Van Lew It Happened in the White House Steadfast and Spirited: Stories of the American Revolution Around the World and Home Again: A Storytelling Sampler Shoes and Other Vehicles Greek and Grand Healing Stories Family Audiences: Around the World and Home Again: A Storytelling Sampler Shoes and Other Vehicles Greek and Grand Quilting Aesop Whale Tales and Mermaids Perseus: A Greek hero and his myth-adventures In a Kingdom Far Away School Assemblies: High School The Odyssey Spy! The Story of Civil War Spy Elizabeth Van Lew It Happened in the White House Steadfast and Spirited: Stories of the American Revolution Around the World and Home Again: A storytelling sampler Shoes and Other Vehicles Greek and Grand |
4th grade - Middle School Spy! The Story of Civil War Spy Elizabeth Van Lew It Happened in the White House Steadfast and Spirited: Stories of the American Revolution Shoes and Other Vehicles Whale Tales and Mermaids Perseus: A Greek Hero and his myth-adventures Greek and Grand 2nd-3rd grade Perseus: A Greek hero and his myth-adventures Greek and Grand Whale Tales and Mermaids Quilting Aesop In a Kingdom Far Away Squawks, Squeals, Ribbits and Roars Clued In K-1st grade Quilting Aesop Squawks, Squeals, Ribbits and Roars Clued In In a Kingdom Far Away Whale Tales and Mermaids 3 years-K Squawks, Squeals, Ribbits and Roars Clued In |
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to contact Lynn Ruehlmann
email: ruehlmann@erols.com
phone: (757) 625-6742