Wednesday, August 13, 2003
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Wednesday, August 13, 2003 |
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Musical celebrates the life of American icon By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Will Rogers led an extrordinary life. He was an American Cowboy humorist, a trick roper, a star of the Ziegfeld Follies, a radio commentator, a star of 71 motion pictures, a syndicated newspaper columnist with over 4,000 columns written, an author of six books, a philosopher and a philanthropist. It is no surprise that a musical based on his life, "The Will Rogers Follies," which will run at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta through Sunday, Aug. 17, has enjoyed tremendous success. "The Will Rogers Follies" opened at the Palace Theater on Broadway in 1991, the same theater where Rogers himself appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies decades before. The show, which starred Keith Carradine as Rogers and was directed by Tommy Tune was oiminated for 11 Tony Awards and nabbed six of them, including awards for Best Musical and Best Score. The current production which started in Atlanta last night stars Larry Gatlin as Rogers. Gatlin appeared as Rogers on Broadway for a number of shows and has played the role on numerous occasions since the show began. Gatlin is a country music legend who began his carrer as a songwriter. A number of his songs were recorded by such artists as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Barbara Streisand and Elvis Presley. After his success as a songwriter, Gatlin began a solo career in 1972. He had his brothers sing backup on his albums and his success soon became their success. The Gatlin Brothers officially became a group in 1979 and recorded a string of hits that made them one of the most successful country music groups of all time. "The Will Rogers Follies" is subtitled "A Life in Revue" and it follows the course of Rogers carrer in Ziegfeld Follie form, comlete with showgirls and the trademark humor and rope tricks of Rogers between numbers. Some of the musical numbers that are sure to be stuck in audeince member's heads for days afterwards include "Willamania," "We're Heading for a Wedding," "Never Met a man I Didn't Like," and "Our Favorite Son." Performances are at 8 p.m. through Saturday with matinee performances at 2 p.mm. on Saturday and Sunday and a 7 p.m. performance on Sunday. Ticket prices are between $20-$50 and are available at the Fox Theatre box office, any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling 404-817-8700. Some famous Will Rogers Quotes
Everybody is ignorant. Only on different subjects. No man is great if he thinks he is. Live your life so that when you lose, you're ahead. My ancestors did not come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat. America is a land of opportunity and don't ever forget it. We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others. All I know is what I read in the papers. I never met a man I didn't like.
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