Ruth Suckow’s “A Great Mollie” can make you laugh and cry. It’s a hybrid; silly and serious, a comic tour of the Iowa farm country in the early years of the 20th century that glories in country neighborliness, but sharply references limitations small towns level over its women.

The strength of the story many claim as Suckow’s best is the character at its heart, Mollie Schumacher, a young unmarried woman whose instincts and predilections have nothing to do with her world’s definitions of the place of women. She loves nothing better than getting under the hood of her old Ford and tinkering until, once more, she’s got her old car singing. She’s excited by opportunities to change things, by unique attempts to make a living in ways unimagined by others.

Mollie is a fun-loving traveling salesman who gets far more out of visiting people than making money. But her future is clouded by the attitudes the small-town holds of what’s becoming for a woman. She’s a wonderful personality who lives in a world where her value is undercut by traditional views of what a woman should do and should be.

1:30 refreshments
2:00 program

This program is included in regular admission or free for museum members.

Donations are always appreciated.

☕️ BYOM!
Guests are welcome to bring their own mugs if they wish. Disposable cups are provided, but help us reduce waste and bring a favorite mug!

Not a member? Memberships start at $45 a year and grant free admission to the museum anytime. Your membership includes admission to all of our Kaffee und Kuchen programs plus discounts on workshops, special events, gift shop purchases, and more. Visit the front desk or purchase a membership online.

*Guests will be asked to present their membership cards at the front desk if they registered for the program as a member. If you are unsure of your membership status or need a replacement membership card, please contact info@gahc.org or call 563-322-8844 x0

Photography Policy: By responding to this event, you are giving your consent for the German American Heritage Center and Museum to use any photographs taken of you during the program for marketing purposes. We appreciate your support in helping us share the impact of our events with a wider community audience.

Access to the museum will be modified for an ongoing construction project at Second and Gaines. Please use our alley to access the parking lot and call the museum if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact the host of Kaffee und Kuchen: A Great Mollie Readers Theater