Will Rogers' USA

Will Rogers' USA is a one-man play about humorist Will Rogers that James Whitmore[1] appeared in for more than 30 years. It was first staged by Frankie Hewitt at the Loretto-Hilton Theater in Webster Groves, Missouri in January 1970[2] and then at Ford's Theatre in September 1970.[3][4] It was broadcast on television in 1972[5] and had a limited run on Broadway in May 1974. The Broadway production was produced by George Spota.[6] The play was produced and conceived by George Spota, adapted and directed by Paul Shyre, with research by associate producer Bryan Sterling.[7] Whitmore changed his monologue each time he performed it, using actual quotations from Will Rogers to comment on current events at the time of the performance.[2]

Will Rogers

Gene McFall was reportedly the first person other than Whitmore to perform in the play in 1982. He was stage manager and understudy to Whitmore while on tour in 1983 and 1984.[8] Another source says that actor Paul Tripp starred in a national tour of the play in 1974.[9]

Whitmore reprised the role numerous times through February 2000, when he performed it for the eighth and final run at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.[10] His costume was later sent to the Smithsonian Institution.[2]

The play was recently revived by Kaleidoscope Theatre Company.

Notes
  1. in the 1970s he won critical acclaim for his one-man performances on Broadway portraying Harry Truman in Give 'Em Hell Harry, Theodore Roosevelt in Bully, and the actor Will Rogers in Will Rogers USA. Staff (9 February 2009) "James Whitmore: Versatile US actor whose intensity led him to be twice nominated for Oscars" The Times page 53
  2. Dennis McClellan, "James Whitmore dies at 87; veteran award-winning actor brought American icons to the screen", Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2009.
  3. Neil Macneil. "Old Cowhand". Time. September 28, 1970. Retrieved on February 14, 2010.
  4. Staff (2003) "Making a Difference: The National Humanities Medalists" Humanities: The Magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities 2003(2): National Endowment for the Humanities
  5. Will Rogers' USA at Internet Movie Database
  6. Will Rogers' USA at Internet Broadway Database
  7. Souvenir program, George Spota Productions
  8. Davis, Sandy (22 July 1994) "Will Rogers' Witty Wisdom Stars in One-Man Show" News OK
  9. Oliver, Myrna (2 September 2002) "Paul Tripp, 91; Father of 'Tubby the Tuba'" Los Angeles Times
  10. Staff (11 February 2009) "Actor refused to be typecast" The Courier Mail (Australia) page 94
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