Will Rogers' USA
Encyclopedia
Will Rogers' USA is a one-man play about humorist Will Rogers
. It was first staged by Frankie Hewitt in a small theatre in Webster Groves, Missouri
and then at Ford's Theatre
in 1970 and on Broadway in 1974, and starred James Whitmore
. The play was produced and conceived by George Spota, adapted and directed by Paul Shyre
, with research by associate producer Bryan Sterling
. 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. Whitmore reprised the role numerous times through 2000, when he performed it for the eighth and final run at Ford's Theatre
in Washington, D.C. His costume was later sent to the Smithsonian Institution
.
The Broadway production was produced by George Spota, It was broadcast on television in 1972.
Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
. It was first staged by Frankie Hewitt in a small theatre in Webster Groves, Missouri
Webster Groves, Missouri
Webster Groves is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 22,995 at the 2010 census. The city is named after New England politician Daniel Webster....
and then at Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre is a historic theater in Washington, D.C., used for various stage performances beginning in the 1860s. It is also the site of the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865...
in 1970 and on Broadway in 1974, and starred James Whitmore
James Whitmore
James Allen Whitmore, Jr. was an American film and stage actor.-Early life:Born in White Plains, New York, to Florence Belle and James Allen Whitmore, Sr., a park commission official, Whitmore attended Amherst Central High School in Snyder, New York, before graduating from The Choate School in...
. The play was produced and conceived by George Spota, adapted and directed by Paul Shyre
Paul Shyre
Paul Shyre was an American director and playwright who won a Tony and an Emmy. He is noted for the plays Hizzoner, Will Rogers' USA and The President Is Dead....
, with research by associate producer Bryan Sterling
Bryan Sterling
Bryan Sterling was an authority on the life and work of American political commentator, humorist, and entertainer Will Rogers...
. 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. Whitmore reprised the role numerous times through 2000, when he performed it for the eighth and final run at Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre is a historic theater in Washington, D.C., used for various stage performances beginning in the 1860s. It is also the site of the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865...
in Washington, D.C. His costume was later sent to the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
.
The Broadway production was produced by George Spota, It was broadcast on television in 1972.