Kelley Elder will present “Mark Twain Here!!!” - an evening with America’s most famous and beloved humorist.  Kelley has been performing as Mark Twain for nearly 50 years. 

“My goal, as an actor, is to make the audience feel like they have gotten to know Twain a little bit. He was a very complex man.  At the same time, the audience will discover that Twain is a lot funnier than they might have thought” Elder explained.  The show consists almost entirely of material taken from Twain’s novels, non-fiction writing, short stories, essays, and speeches.  Elder added, “Twain had something to say about nearly everything.  At one time, he was one of the best-known people in the United States and the world.”

Elder first performed as Twain in 1973 and since then has performed throughout the US and Europe hundreds of times.  He likes to allow an hour and a half to two hours to make the transition from being himself to becoming Mark Twain.  “As I have gotten older, the makeup does not take as long as it used to” Elder quipped. 

Elder emphasized that “Mark Twain Here!!!” is not an academic exercise or a literature lesson. Instead, it is an evening with a true American Character who is funny, entertaining, insightful, and very human. The show is staged very simply, just as Twain would have presented himself on the lecture circuit. 

The material is appropriate for ages and families.

Chewelah Center for the Arts is the area's newest performing arts facility.  It is located in the hub of town, next to the Museum and the Indian Agency Cabin.  All seating is general admission and handicap accessible.