For Immediate Release: February 1, 2007
Media Contact: Chuck Reece, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 215.785.0100

February 27 through March 18, 2007, President Theodore Roosevelt takes the stage at Bristol Riverside Theatre, portrayed by actor and playwright Michael O. Smith in his one-man play The Bully Pulpit. The production is the fourth in BRT's 20th Anniversary Season, and brings to life the dichotomies of one of our most memorable leaders.

Set in Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill, NY home, the play transpires in 1918, on the occasion of Roosevelt's 60th birthday (what we now know was less than three months before his death). He is ten years out of office as President, yet is as vibrant in spirit and exuberant in his story-telling as ever. But while reflecting upon the many adventures-and tragedies-in his life, "TR" is trying to come to grips with the legacy he will leave behind. War Hero or Conservationist? President or Father?

While Roosevelt is probably best known for his role as President, he is also noted for the "Teddy" Bear named after him and his saying "speak softly and carry a big stick," an insight into the complex man who is almost a study in contradictions. He was born into a wealthy family in New York in 1858, but at one time worked as a cowboy and rancher in the west. He was Police Commissioner of New York City, became a war hero for leading the Rough Rider's charge of San Juan Hill in Cuba during in the Spanish-American war, then later received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his diplomatic efforts in ending the Russo-Japanese War. He negotiated U.S. control of the construction of the Panama Canal, and also exercised his power as President to declare large areas of land as federally protected wildernesses.

But when asked what he felt his greatest accomplishment was, he preferred to dwell not on his often tough public persona, but instead upon his role as family man stating, "I have the happiest home life of any man whom I have ever known." Twice married and father of six, Roosevelt was a man of great affection for his family. On the same day in February 1884, in the same house, both his mother (typhoid) and first wife (complications from childbirth) died. His one sentence entry into his diary: "The light has gone out of my life."

Michael O. Smith who wrote the play as an acting vehicle for himself will again play Roosevelt in the BRT presentation. One critic noted at the World Premiere production at Florida Studio Theatre in 2004, "Smith plays the role with unbounded enthusiasm, revealing a man of strong principals and value who's proud of his achievements." Smith will gladly be donning pith helmet, elephant gun and Teddy bear again, for the first performances in Pennsylvania in this look at one of America's most beloved leaders.

The Bully Pulpit, written and performed by Michael O. Smith runs February 27 through March 18 at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, in Historic Bristol Borough. Tickets to Preview performances on February 27 and 28 are $29 with a "pay what you can" option available for at-door sales beginning at 7:30pm on the day of the performance. All other performances are Wednesdays through Sundays, with evening performances at 8:00pm.

Wednesday through Saturday, and matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm. Tickets are $34-$37 (depending on the day of performance) and are available by calling the BRT Box Office at 215-785-0100, or online at www.BRTstage.org. BRT thanks Verizon, Grand Sponsor of its 20th Anniversary Season.

MICHAEL O. SMITH (Theodore Roosevelt) diverse stage credits in a 30 year career include: The Immigrant, Sugar Babies, Deathtrap and Greater Tuna and The Florida premiere of Steve Martin's Underpants. He premiered his one man show of Theodore Roosevelt for the Florida Playwrights Festival at Florida Studio Theatre, and salutes director Richard Hopkins for his help in bringing The Bully Pulpit to the FST Mainstage, where he also won all three Sarasota Critics' Awards for his portrayal of Herman Goering in 2: Goering at Nuremberg. Michael has appeared on Evening Shade, Murder She Wrote, The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives and was a series regular on ABC's B. L. Stryker, as Police Chief McGee with Burt Reynolds. Broadway and touring credits include: Dracula, The Elephant Man, Amadeus, 1776, and Off-Broadway, as a founding member of Strasberg's Mirror Repertory with Geraldine Page. He received the South Florida Critics Carbonell Award for Fiddler on the Roof at Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theater and won the Curtain Up Award for Best Actor in the Caldwell Theater's production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Michael O. is a "salsero ardiente" and has played Latin percussion Timbales and Congas with various groups. He dedicates "The Bully Pulpit" to the memory of his dear friend, actor Brian Keith, who played TR in the film The Wind and The Lion.

Go to News Releases»