William Walsh, who directs the one-man show, plays the controversial and charismatic figure, known as a U.S. President, a war hero, adventurer and conservationist.
"Bully captures the spirit of the first American President who faced issues that concern us just as much today: conservation, judicious diplomacy and the role of the federal government in regulating business," according to production notes. It features President Theodore Roosevelt's interactions with Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge, Baltimore Sun critic H.L. Mencken, second wife Edith and President Woodrow Wilson.
William Walsh had his early dramatic training at Holy Cross College in Worcestor. He later he studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and at the American Theatre Wing in New York. He played the lead role in the Lost Colony production in North Carolina, toured the South with the Barter Theatre Company of Virginia and toured Ireland with Lord Longford's Gate Theatre Company.
Playwright Jerome Alden was born in Portland, OR, and graduated with a degree in theatre from the University of Oregon. After serving in the Special Services during World War II he moved to New York City, where he acted Off-Broadway and wrote scripts for documentary films and television. He wrote two plays based on the life of Theodore Roosevelt: Bully, featuring James Whitmore in the title role, and the musical Teddy and Alice, which ran at the Minskoff Theater in 1987. He also wrote Shakespeare Revisited, an evening of Shakespeare that Helen Hayes and Maurice Evans took on tour around the United States in the early '60s. Alden was the executive story editor and writer for "Bicentennial Minutes," a series of quick history lessons that ran on CBS in 1976. His television credits include "The Truman Years," "A Gathering of One" and "The American Adventure."
Bully was first performed in 1977 at the Playhouse Theatre, Wilmington, DE, produced by George Spota/Four Star international. In November 1977, it opened at Broadway's 46th Street Theatre starring James Whitmore and played 16 performances. Peter H. Hunt directed. Performances of Bully play Tuesday–Saturday at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.
Tickets are $15 during the first week of previews and $20 thereafter. Student tickets are available for $10 during the entire run. To order tickets or for information contact SmartTix at (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.
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Laurence Luckinbill starred in a solo play called Teddy Tonight Off-Broadway in 2002. The action took place in July 1918 when the former President was preparing to take on President Woodrow Wilson.
