Mark Twain pays a visit

Mark Twain paid a visit to the Simpsonville Arts Center in February as part of Chautauqua's "Secrets Revealed" series. Chautauqua is a nonprofit organization with free programming that carries on the "oral tradition that brings history to life through interactive theater and compelling discussion aimed at stimulating critical thinking," according to historycomesalive.org. Skilled, talented and knowledgeable performers embody famous historical figures to speak as them to captive audiences.

The appearance by Mark Twain at the Arts Center on Feb. 10 was a stop on the "Secrets Revealed" series, in which Mark Twain and his fellow historical figures reveal some not-so-known information about themselves. It was a pretty good Friday afternoon with free admission, too.

Mark Twain was portrayed by Dr. George Frein, who is a nationally-acclaimed Chautauqua performer and produced the first Greenville Chautauqua Festival in 1999. Dr. Frein is a professor at Furman University.

Author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, portrayed by Susan Marie Frontczak, will visit the Arts Center on June 9 at 2 p.m. Admission is free, and seating is limited on a first-come-first-serve basis. Doors open at 1 p.m.