Producing Artistic Director Penelope Reed and the Hedgerow Theatre Company launch the new year with a timely production of James Still's Looking Over the President's Shoulder. Guest Artist Equity actor Brian Anthony Wilson and director Connie Norwood bring to life this one-man show based upon the diaries of Alonzo Fields, Chief White House Butler, who worked in the White House for 21 years and three months.

Hedgerow Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Penelope Reed said "He [Fields] serves as a beacon to us all for valuing our life choices". Ms. Reed is thrilled to have Connie Norwood return to Hedgerow to shepherd the play, "Connie is an enlightened director, who brought out rich veins of relationship in her direction of New Play Festival Production According to Plan in the summer of 2005, and we look forward to her delving deeply into James Still's fabulous text and working with Brian on the nuances of character, so essential to the one-person show."

During his time in the White House, Alonzo Fields served four different presidents: Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. Each was a unique personality, requiring Fields to use different interpersonal skills to work with each man. More than just a historical drama about the White House's first African-American Chief Butler, Looking Over The President's Shoulder also takes a look at one man's coming to terms with how he has spent his life and his talents, which many of us do at the start of each new year. When all is done and Alonzo Fields finishes up his First Family reminiscences, he asks the same question many of us do, -- "Have I lived my life wisely?"

Director Connie Norwood discovered the following quote by President Hoover in 1932, which she read to the creative team at the first rehearsal, "Now, you fellows are asking for complete integration. And that means that if you go into the division, you expect to work up to the top. Now, I realize that, and I know that is the thing that should be. But, the time is not right. The people will not stand for it. I don't care if I got out an Executive Order. The country would go into an upheaval, especially at this time." Ms. Norwood commented after reading Hoover's quote, "Just look at us now."

Mr. Wilson said of his upcoming Hedgerow role, "Alonzo Fields reminds me of my Dad (Timothy Wilson) a humble, gentle man, of great integrity, unquestionable honor and a passion for opera and singing! I feel privileged to have the opportunity to walk in Mr. Fields shoes and speak his words during the show." Mr. Wilson has performed locally with Act II Playhouse, the Arden, Freedom Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Co., People's Light & Theatre Co., Prince Music Theatre, InterAct and regionally with the Arizona Theatre Co, Indiana Repand Actors Theatre of Louisville. His television credits included all five seasons of the critically acclaimed HBO Series, The Wire, as Homicide Det. Vernon Holley. He makes his Hedgerow debut in the role of Alonzo Fields. His movie credits include the feature film, Shelter, starring Julianne Moore.

Looking Over The President's Shoulder premiered at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in 2001. The Hedgerow production, part of their equity artist Signature series, plays 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 9 through Feb. 9. A 1 p.m. Wednesday matinee with a tea party intermission is also offered Feb. 4. Tickets are $12 for children and $20-$30 for adults with $3 discounts for seniors, groups and students. The show previews Jan. 9-11 and opens with a complimentary meet-the-cast post-show reception Jan. 16. For tickets, call 610-565-4211 or visit www.hedgerowtheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre is at 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley (minutes from downtown Media).