MANKATO — Susan Hynes has done all sorts of research on the medicine shows that once were common in the U.S. She loves to inhabit the character of Violet McNeal, who in 1947 published the book “Four White Horses and a Brass Band” that reveals the secrets of the medicine show trade in which she participated.
She loves bringing that era to life in the “Old Fashioned Medicine Show” for the Blue Earth County Historical Society. Specifically, she loves the presentation and the interaction with an audience similar to those McNeal entertained almost a century ago.
She loves it so much, that in addition to playing McNeal, she is also one of the enthusiastic but greatly under-talented Cherry Sisters.
Hynes has found a willing accomplice in Nora Sturgis, 13, who on Saturday joins her as a much younger member of the Cherry family. The daughter of a Minnesota State University theater professor and accomplished actor and videographer, her natural skills may be a detriment in her new role as Jessie Cherry.
Experience for her has come through appearances on the MSU and Merely Players stages, and in previous medicine shows where she appeared as a reporter and pickpocket.
“Sadly, I’m at that in-between age where I can’t really be a child or an adult yet because most of the adult roles are either like (in their) 30s, late 20s or like the romantic-aged characters,” Sturgis said. “So, not quite yet, but I’m getting there.”
While people may have “loved to hate” the Cherry Sisters, Hynes is an obvious fan of Sturgis, beginning an interview by saying, “Look how good she looks.” She was impressed from the moment Sturgis surprised them at an audition.
“Nora got up and she did a little dance, and then she did a pratfall. None of us knew it was coming. You know, on the grass she fell,” she said. “(We thought), ‘Yes, yes, that’s some clumsiness.’” And she was in.
It fits into Sturgis’ hopes to take on greater acting roles.
“I’m really excited to start actually being able to … do more out in the community,” she said. “I love doing the stuff in the community with the college and community theater and the medicine show, but I’m excited to be able to start doing things outside of our little town.”
This summer she spent nearly a month in New Hampshire, performing in a show that her grandmother wrote for her senior citizens group. It was a young performer’s dream.
Sturgis loves the nature of the medicine show, which has strong characterization and a basic structure, but also the opportunity to be what Hynes called “loosy goosy.”
“It’s so much fun, and it’s so incredibly carefree and just people getting together to do it,” she said. “And it’s not as intensely strict as a lot of theater would be. It kind of knows where it’s at and it knows the amount of preparation it needs for it to actually be fun.”
As they continue to chat about what those needs are, Hynes mentions she hasn’t found any Pop Rocks, a candy that is part of the show.
“I’ll have to look around,” Sturgis volunteers. “I’m going to be at Family Dollar later today. I’ll check there.”
Hynes’ creative crew of players includes several characters who entertain the crowd in between Cherry Sister shows at 1 and 2 p.m., and her own Violet McNeal show at 3 p.m. in the gardens of the Hubbard House carriage house on South Broad Street.
Among the characters will be Mike Schmitz who plays the emcee and engages people with trivia questions, she said. He helps to draw people into the action. Patrice Hundstad does sword dancing while accompanied on the drum by her husband, Jeff. Michelle Parsneau takes on an Eastern European persona as a convincing fortune teller.
Tom Henry, who studied under a Dutch master when he was 13, performs what he calls “mentalism.” And “Lonesome” Ron Affolter will be providing music.
While there is no cost to attend and performers don’t get paid, Hynes said they work diligently to create fun and interactive props to match the spirit of the era. They also promote their imaginary sponsor through items such as tin foil hats for cats and dogs, dehydrated water and old-fashioned clothespins.
In the midst of the Hubbard House gardens, Hynes and her team create a fun, historical black hole that transports attendees to a more carefree time.
“It’s a really good way to meet a bunch of really nice people and it’s a lot of fun,” Sturgis said behind an impish smile. “The weather’s always really nice; it’s good to get outside. It’s a good family thing. There’s space for people to walk around and it’s in a really nice part of town as well.”