The Bully Pulpit May 15, 2008 – Posted in: Aberrant Normalcy

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing “The Bully Pulpit,” a one-man play about the life of Theodore Roosevelt, with Ellen Datlow and Mary Robinette Kowal. The play, Mary informed me, was two hours long, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to listen to one man ramble on for that period. I can’t even listen to myself for that long.  As I examined the detailed set and listened to the dialog, my mind soon became enchanted with the costumes, the stage props (which Mary had a hand in), and the language. But by the end of the play I was totally won over.  I was moved. The gals with me got a little teary-eyed at the end, and I must admit I did too.

Michael Smith is superb actor.  There were times when I forgot he wasn’t Roosevelt himself.  He frequently interacts with the crowd, making subtle jokes and innuendos about “our current president…Woodrow Wilson.”  At one point, he even uses “begat” as an expletive.  (“Think about it for a minute; it’ll come to you,” he says.)  If you have the opportunity, I can’t recommend this play highly enough.  Here are some photos of the beautiful set.  Mary had a hand in acquiring and preparing most of these props.

The Bully Pulpit

The Bully Pulpit