American Blues Theater continues its 30th anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT'S SHOULDER, by Artistic Affiliate James Still and directed by Timothy Douglas. A solo show featuring Ensemble Member Manny Buckley, LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT'S SHOULDER tells the story of African-American White House Butler Alonzo Fields, who served four presidents between 1931 and 1953. LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT'S SHOULDER runs now through March 6 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Avenue. Opening night is Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Buckley in action below!
Before Lee Daniels' "The Butler," playwright James Still shared the real-life, inspirational story of Alonzo Fields, grandson of a freed slave, who grew up in an all-black town in southern Indiana. Forced by the Depression to give up his dreams of becoming an opera singer, Fields accepts a job at the White House and served there for 21 years. This tour-de-force solo play is told from the unique perspective of serving four U.S. presidents and their families: Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower.
The creative team for LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT'S SHOULDER includes Brian Sidney Bembridge (scenic and light design), Christopher J. Neville* (costume design), Rick Sims* (sound design), Amanda Herrmann (properties) and Jaclyn Holsey* (stage manager). *Denotes Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 773-404-7336 or visiting www.AmericanBluesTheater.com.
Photo Credit: Johnny Knight
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