BULLY, New Play about Theodore Roosevelt Opens July 11

Jerome Walden's BULLY, a play based on the life of Theodore Roosevelt, produced by Double W Productions, will open on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at the Irish Arts Center (553 West 51st St.) Previews begin patriotically, on July 4th.

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. It features William Walsh as President Theodore Roosevelt in his interactions with everyone from Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Baltimore Sun Critic H.L. Mencken, to his second wife Edith and President Woodrow Wilson.

William Walsh (Theodore Roosevelt) 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 famed "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. Off Broadway he's been in Equity Library Theatre shows and at the Donnell Library theatre, the Henry St. Settlement Theatre and other Off-Broadway houses. In stock he performed with such luminaries as Fay Bainter, Miriam Hopkins, Dick Shawn, Anthony Perkins and Jean Stapleton.

Jerome Alden was born in Portland, Ore., and graduated with a degree in theater 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 60's. Mr Aldon was the executive story editor and writer for "Bicentennial Minutes" a series of instant 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 on February 10, 1977 at the Playhouse Theatre, Wilmington, Delaware, produced by George Spota / Four Star international. It opened at the Forty-Six Street Theatre, New York City on November 1, 1977, produced by Cathy Rait, Kevin Krown, Don Saxon and directed by Peter H. Hunt.

Stage Manager is Nicole Press, Sound Design is by Christopher Rummel. Additional creative team to be announced.

Performances of BULLY are on Tuesday–Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

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.