Will Rogers would famously begin his routine with the line, “Folks, all I know is what I read in the papers,” upon which he’d open a copy of the local rag and launch into a crowd pleasing monologue of clever adlibs and one-liners drawn from the headlines. He pulled no punches when it came to the self-absorbed and self-interested, particularly politicians, and in so doing he blazed the trail for the Johnny Carsons, David Lettermans, and Stephen Colberts that would follow in his mold. While it’s true that Will became America’s biggest star of the 1920s and 30s, it was from humble beginnings that this unique entertainer, pundit, and American icon sprung. At the age of 19 Will set out on his own to Argentina and then South Africa as a freelance cowboy. His roping skills eventually landed him a job with Texas Jack’s Wild West Show on world tour. Upon returning to American soil, Will found he could ply his trade equally well on the Vaudeville circuit, a gig that eventually landed him his big break headlining The Ziegfeld Follies in New York. Florenz Ziegfeld recognized that while crowds liked Will’s dazzling rope tricks, what they really went for was his off the cuff banter, mixing comedy with biting political and social commentary…all with an “aw shucks” attitude and down home sensibility. From a daily newspaper column to weekly radio broadcasts, over fifty Hollywood movies, and even a run at the presidency (back before it was cliché for actors to go into politics), Will did it all in his tragically shortened life. The Will Rogers Follies (A Life in Revue) re-imagines Will Rogers’ life as a splashy 1920s Ziegfeld Follies extravaganza with Will himself as star, host, and guide. It hit Broadway in 1991 and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards (winning 6, including Best Musical and Best Score). Will Rogers Follies is an entertaining and heart warming treat, and Spectrum’s Musical Theatre, Band, and Stagecraft programs are excited to be bringing it to life this month on the Spectrum stage.
=0D=0A=Show dates are February 27-28 & March 5-7 @ 7:30 PM and March 8 @ 2:00 PM. Adults $10, Students $8.
=0D=0A=Contact the main office (250-479-8271) for ticket information. Get your tickets soon – every year we’re forced to turn people away who have waited too long to purchase!
DTSTART:19691231 DTEND:19700101 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR