The 2020 Ed Kinney Speaker Series presents 
An Afternoon or Evening With...

FINAL Update: March 1, 2021

Dear Ed Kinney Patrons,
This letter is an update on the postponed 2020 Ed Kinney Speaker Series. For those who have tickets, and even those who don’t, we hope the following information is useful to you as you plan your 2021 calendar. First, I want to thank you all for your patience throughout this last year as we navigated how we would handle rescheduling the 2020 Ed Kinney Speaker Series in 2021. We have delayed as long as we can, hoping for a change in the situation, but unfortunately, we have had to make a final decision on how to proceed. We are moving forward with our plan to make the entire series virtual in 2021.

This will mean participants will join a virtual Webinar from the comfort of their home, watch the Chautauqua scholar do a pre-recorded monologue along with the rest of the virtual audience, and then, using the webinar's chat features, ask the character and actors questions live. Although we know this format will not be the same as an in-person performance at the Firehouse, we hope you all will give it a chance and still join us for this virtual season. 

As you can imagine moving from in-person performances to virtual  performances brings up a whole host of logistical issues and questions. Below we will attempt to address some of the questions you likely have.

  1. 1) How will we get access to the virtual event each month?
    1. If you already had tickets to the 2020 series, you will need to email or call us and give us your email. You can email Sarah Schaefer at education@museumonmain.org. We will then send you a confirmation with more information about the webinars and how to use the technology. We are also always an email or phone call away to help with tech questions during this transition. You will receive an email the day prior to the scheduled performance with the webinar link.
    2. NOTE: We are no longer using Zoom, so you will not need to download anything. Just click the BigMarker link in your email and the webinar will come up on your internet browser. 

  2. 2) What days will the shows be held?
    1. The performances will be on the same date they were scheduled for in 2020. So, for example, Lady Bird Johnson was scheduled for Tuesday March 24th, 2020.  Now she is scheduled for Wednesday March 24th, 2021.
    2. ​
  3. 3) Will there still be 2pm and 7pm shows?
    1. Yes. There will be two Webinars scheduled for each performance date. One that begins at 2pm and one that begins at 7pm. As long as the events remain virtual you can change what performance time you are signed up for, you just need to provide 2 days advanced notice. 

  4. 4) Are all the characters the same?
    1. All but two of the characters from the postponed 2020 schedule are performing again on the date they were previously scheduled. In April, the performance date will remain April 14th, but we will no longer be visited by General Fremont. Instead, we will be hearing from famed television screenwriter and producer Gene Roddenberry. Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler will be portraying the Star Trek creator for our April 14th performance. Although we do not anticipate any more changes to the schedule, in these still uncertain times, we do want to warn you that it is possible. So, we recommend that you connect with us on social media and check our website periodically for the most up to date schedule.
  5. In July, the preformance date will remain the July 21st, but we will not longer be visted by Erma Bombeck. Instead, we will be hearing from Madame Curie, famed scientist, who will be finally completing her American Speaking tour 100 years after having to cut it short due to exhaustion. Erma Bombeck will be back for the 2022 season. 

  6. 5) What if I can no longer attend a certain date or I don’t want to attend the series virtually?
    1. Email or call us and let us know which shows you can’t attend or if you do not want to attend virtually. The cost of the tickets can be donated to the museum or we can issue a refund.

  7. 6) What if I bought tickets for friends or family? Can I send you more than one email address?
    1. Yes! If you purchased tickets for friends or family, be sure to give us their emails too. 
    2. ​
  8. 7) Since the series is virtual this year, can more people attend our sold-out performances?
    1. Yes, we will be selling “tickets” at the regular ticket price so if you have friends and family from near and far who would want to attend, please have them buy tickets on our website. 

    2. 8) Are tickets per person or per screen?
    3. We are now selling tickets per screen. If you purchased more than one ticket for the 2020 season, but will only be using one screen, you can send in additional email addresses for the extra "tickets". If you are purchasing tickets, buy based on number of screens being used, not the number of people watching.

      1. 9) What if I threw away my tickets?
        1. No problem! Just email or call us and we will get you signed up for the virtual programs.

We are sure you have more questions, so please feel free to email or call us. As we have stated, we know this will be not be the same and it will be a challenging transition for some, but again, we hope you will give the virtual series a try. We miss seeing you all in person, but can’t wait to welcome you back to the series in March on BigMarker Webinar!

Sincerely,
Sarah Schaefer
​
Education Director
Museum on Main 

About the Series

The Ed Kinney Series is a monthly program of historical character portrayals and speakers.  Spend an evening with historic characters such as Mark Twain or Babe Ruth and hear from speakers who are experts in their fields.

Many of the speakers in the series are Chautauquans, a type of historical character performance originating in Chautauqua, New York.  The Chautauquan is in character from the moment they step onto the stage, through a Q & A portion, and finally will step out of character to answer questions that the historic character they portray could not address.

DVDs of select lectures are available for purchase at the Museum on Main Gift Shop.  Special thanks to Michael Bruner of Brogan Video for recording services. 

Who Was Ed Kinney?

Picture
Museum on Main’s annual series is named in honor of former Pleasanton Mayor Mr. Ed Kinney.

Mr. Kinney was a resident of Pleasanton for many years and was a wonderful advocate for the city.   His involvement and service to the city inspired both the Ed Kinney Series and the Ed Kinney Community Patriot Award.  He also served as a Vice-President for the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society (Museum on Main).

Mr. Kinney is warmly remembered as the emcee of the parades in the downtown where he would broadcast from the balcony of the Pleasanton Hotel.

Location and Tickets
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Location: Virtual on BigMarker Webinar Platform
Member Benefits!
Members of Museum on Main receive discounted ticket rates and passes for free tickets!  Find out more about Membership Benefits.
Ticketing
Please note: All ticketing for the "An Evening With..." Series is through Museum on Main.
The Firehouse Arts Center Box Office does not handle our ticketing.

$20     General Admission
$15     Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID)
$10     Members

*MEMBERS WITH LECTURE PASSES: Please note, Member lecture passes MUST be applied to your ticket order. You may call us at (925) 462-2766 or come to the Museum on Main in person to order your tickets and apply your passes. Your lecture passes do not guarantee tickets. 

Buy Tickets!
Many of the shows in the An Afternoon or Evening with... series sell out.  Tickets may be available at the event subject to availability.  Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Online 
Click Here to Purchase tickets Online
Tickets purchased online will be available for pick up at Will Call in the lobby of the venue on the evening of the event.
By Phone
Charge tickets by phone at (925) 462-2766.
Tickets purchased by phone will be available for pick up at Will Call in the lobby of the venue on the evening of the event. Visa and Mastercard accepted.
In Person
Buy your tickets At Museum on Main during regular operating hours. Cash, check, Visa or Mastercard accepted.
Ed Kinney Speaker Series Sponsors 
Community Sponsors: 
City of Pleasanton, Civic Arts Commission Grant Program,
​ Cellar Door, ​Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn
Purchase Individual Tickets:
Tickets are no longer available 
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Lady Bird Johnson
Wednesday, March 24, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Virtual Webinar
Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, served as First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969. She was both an American socialite and a shrewd investor and manager. She expanded the role of First Lady by interacting with Congress directly and advocating strongly for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways. The First Lady will be portrayed by actress Gay Storm.
Tickets are no longer available
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Gene Roddenberry
Wednesday, April 14th, 2pm and 7pm 
Location- Virtual Webinar​​
Gene Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter and producer, who most notably created the Star Trek television series. He was also a combat veteran of WWII, a commercial pilot, and an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department. The brilliant screenwriter who brought us, where no man had gone before, will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler.
​
​An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Che Guevara
Wednesday, May 26, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Virtual Webinar
​​Che Guevara’s name invites controversy. To many he is seen as a savior but to many others he is seen as a violent revolutionary and murderer. Che’s story is complex and driven by an unwavering commitment to economic and educational equality and a relentless pursuit for meaning. The Communist leader will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Joey Madia.
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Thomas Edison
Wednesday, June 9, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Virtual Webinar
​Thomas Edison is one of America’s greatest inventors. Known as the Wizard of Menlo Park, he was most famous as the inventor who brought us the light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures. Actor Peter Small will be depicting the famed American inventor.
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Marie Curie 
Wednesday, July 21, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Virtual Webinar
As one of the world’s most renowned scientists, two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Skłodowska Curie is best known for pioneering the field of radioactivity — but few understand the obstacles she faced just to enter the laboratory. What if she could tell her story? You're invited to meet Marie Curie as she recollects her quest to isolate two new elements and early experiments to treat cancer with radium therapy. From her childhood in Poland to groundbreaking research in France, Marie Curie shares the struggles, failures and triumphs behind her scientific discoveries. Masterfully written and portrayed by Storysmith® Susan Marie Frontczak, this presentation is part of STEM on Stage's virtual tour of Humanity Needs Dreamers: A Visit With Marie Curie,  commemorating the 100th anniversary of her visit to the U.S. in 1921.
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Jacques Cousteau
Wednesday, August 18, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Virtual Webinar
Jacques Cousteau was a French naval officer, ocean explorer, and coinventor of the Aqua-Lung. He is known for his extensive undersea investigations and his iconic red hat. He brought marine biology to the masses through his many TV specials, and his name remains connected to oceanography and ocean conservation. Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler will portray the famed marine biologist.
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​William Shakespeare
Wednesday, September 15th, 2pm and 7pm 
Location- Virtual Webinar
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, and is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." Despite having his work known and celebrated around the world, Shakespeare’s personal life remains largely a mystery. Actor J.T. Turner will bring the beloved and mysterious William Shakespeare to life.
An Afternoon or Evening with... ​Audie Murphy
Wednesday, October 13, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Virtual Webinar
Audie Murphy, America’s most decorated WWII combat soldier and Hollywood star, is coming back to Pleasanton by popular demand! Award winning actor Duffy Hudson will portray the war hero in his moving one-man show about Murphy’s life, entitled “To Hell and Back.”
For more information on the Ed Kinney Series or speakers taking part in the series, contact
the Director of Education at (925) 462-2766 or education@museumonmain.org.