Madcap Living History Night brings ‘Typhoid Mary’ to life

On Oct. 16, the Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon hosted another installment of its Madcap Living History Night series, captivating the audience with the dramatic story of “Typhoid Mary” Mallon. The performance, delivered by local resident and seasoned Chautauqua performer Tammy Rae Souhrada, took place in the Recital Hall on the third floor of the historic venue.

Souhrada entered slowly, portraying Mary Mallon with careful precision. Carrying a bowl of berries, she ate one by one as she walked down the aisle, pausing to offer berries to audience members along the way. The act, while seemingly generous, carried a deeper and unsettling significance: a reminder of how easily diseases can spread from person to person through everyday acts. The audience quickly understood the symbolism, linking the simple gesture to the profound public health crisis Mary Mallon once represented.

Mary Mallon, born Sept. 23, 1869, in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, immigrated to the United States in 1883. She found work as a cook for wealthy New York City families. Between 1900 and 1907, investigators identified her as the first known asymptomatic carrier of the typhoid bacterium in the United States. Though Mallon never experienced symptoms herself, her cooking unknowingly infected numerous people, causing multiple outbreaks of typhoid fever.

Authorities quarantined her twice during her lifetime. Released once under the condition that she never cook for anyone but herself, Mallon violated the restriction and continued her work, leading to further outbreaks. She was eventually confined for the remainder of her life on North Brother Island in the Bronx, where she died on Nov. 11, 1938.

Souhrada delivered her story entirely in the first person, giving Mary Mallon’s point of view on the events that defined her life. She described the indignities of quarantine, when doctors collected her feces, urine, and blood samples — sometimes daily, later weekly — as part of their research. She also reflected on controversial treatments, including a yearlong trial of Urotropine, a formaldehyde-based drug that ultimately threatened her kidneys, and the pressure she faced to undergo gallbladder removal surgery, which she refused. Despite the scientific scrutiny, Mallon herself never believed she was directly responsible for spreading illness, and she felt persecuted and ostracized until her death.

The evening’s program, sponsored by Bickerdyke Table & Tap, Great Impressions, Mount Vernon Players, and the Woodward Opera House, highlighted how Living History performances rely on community support. Actors research, create, and supply their own props to fully immerse themselves in their chosen character. Souhrada’s dedication and careful study were evident, earning praise for her powerful interpretation of Typhoid Mary’s complex and tragic life.

Following the performance, guests participated in a Q&A session, which allowed for discussion of Mary Mallon’s life, public health history, and the challenges of portraying historical figures with fairness and accuracy. The audience was reminded of the continuing relevance of Mallon’s story, especially in light of modern conversations about disease transmission and the responsibilities of individuals within public health.

Souhrada is no stranger to the stage. A Mount Vernon resident since 1995, she is a mother of three, a wife, and a reading teacher. In addition to her teaching career, she has written several short plays and serves on the board of the Mount Vernon Players community theater. Her extensive repertoire of Chautauqua performances includes portrayals of Agatha Christie, Mary Shelley, Madame Curie, Alexandra Feodorovna, Shirley Temple Black, Lucreatia Garfield, and the Lady of Pompeii. Lizzie Borden was her first Chautauqua role more than a decade ago.

The Madcap Living History Night series continues to offer Mount Vernon audiences a unique way to engage with the past through personal storytelling and live performance. The next event will feature John Vining as President Theodore Roosevelt on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Woodward Opera House. For updates on upcoming programs, visit www.madcaplivinghistory.com.