All The Way With LBJ Onstage At Wyly Theatre

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Brandon Potter and Cast of All the Way. Photo by Karen Almond

Dallas Theater Center brings a Texas-sized production of the Tony Award®-winning play, All the Way, to the Wyly Theatre March 3. The co-production with the Alley Theatre will be directed by DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty and feature members from both companies.

“The Alley Theatre is one of the great, historic theaters in the state of Texas, whose work I have long admired. Their commitment to a resident acting company is unique in the American theatre and served as an inspiration to me when we created our own acting company at Dallas Theater Center in 2008,” said Moriarty. “All the Way is the perfect opportunity to bring these two great Texas theaters together to collaborate on an award-winning historical epic about Lyndon Johnson, Texas’ leading political figure of the 20th century. This play not only allows our companies to inspire each other, but also allows us to tell a thrilling, high impact story that, though it is history, feels as fresh and relevant as if it were ripped off the headlines today.”

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Texas native Robert Schenkkan, All the Way is a suspenseful new play about one of the most powerful Texans, Lyndon B. Johnson, from the moment of his accidental presidency in 1963 to his hard-won landslide election a year later. Performed in both Houston and Dallas, Robert Schenkkan’s masterful script paints a gripping portrayal of LBJ, civil rights hero, ruthless bully, and perhaps one of our greatest legislative presidents. With a title harkening back to the slogan for his 1964 campaign, All the Way is a searing and enthralling dramatization that explores political gridlock, strong-arm manipulation, and the morality of politics and power. The Houston Chronicle called the play “a fascinating portrait of one of the most colorful and complex figures in U.S. history.”

Brierley Resident Acting Company member Brandon Potter will play the role of President Lyndon Baines Johnson alongside company members Kieran “Michael” Connolly as J. Edgar Hoover/Reporter/Senator Robert Byrd; Hassan El-Amin as Roy Wilkins/James Harrison/Shoeshiner/Mourner/MFDP Activist/Aaron Henry/MFDP delegate; Chamblee Ferguson as Senator Hubert Humphrey/Senator Strom Thurmond/FBI Agent; Alex Organ as Stanley Levison/Representative John McCormack/Reporter/Network Correspondent/Seymore Trammell/Rev. Edwin King/MFDP organizer/Witness/Andrew Goodman; and Steven Michael Walters as Walter Jenkins/Representative William Colmer.

Alley Resident Acting Company members in the cast are Paul Hope as Cartha “Deke” DeLoach/Representative Howard “Judge” Smith/Senator Everett Dirksen/Gov. Carl Sanders/Vice Squad/Deputy Price; David Rainey as Rev. Ralph Abernathy/Butler/Mourner/MFDP Activist/Witness; and John Tyson as Senator Richard Russell/Representative Emanuel Celler/FBI Agent/Vice Squad.

Southern Methodist University students in the cast are Timothy Paul Brown as Bob Moses/Mourner/MFDP Activist, and Sasha Davis as Coretta Scott King/Mourner/MFDP Activist/Fannie Lou Hammer/Beautiful Woman. Additional cast members are Adam A. Anderson as Stokely Carmichael/David Dennis/MFDP Leader/Witness/James Cheny; Michael Brusasco as Representative James Corman/Governor George Wallace/Senator Mike Mansfield/Walter Reuther/FBI Agent/Witness/King of Norway; Shawn Hamilton as Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Chris Hutchison as Robert McNamara/Senator James Eastland/William Moore McCulloch/Governor Paul B. Johnson, Jr./Witness/New Orleans Announcer/Butler; Leah Spillman as Lady Bird Johnson/Katharine Graham/Representative Katharine St. George; and Brooke Wilson as Secretary/Lurleen Wallace/Muriel Humphrey/Delegate/Nurse.

This production will give the audience an inside look into historical moments both in and out of the Oval Office during LBJ’s presidency. Returning to DTC is Tony Award®-winning set designer and projection designer Beowulf Boritt who will bring the political world to life. Also returning to DTC is costume designer Jennifer Caprio , sound designer Broken Chord, and lighting designer Clifton Taylor. Joining them is projection designer Caite Kemp.

DTC’s Come Early sponsored by Wells Fargo will take place one hour before every performance and will be led by ElAmin. DTC’s Stay Late presented by Dr Pepper Snapple will take place after each performance and will be led by Walters.

DTC is partnering with The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, located at 411 Elm St. for the production of All the Way. DTC and The Sixth Floor Museum will co-host a community conversation with a moderated panel from 6-7:30 pm on March 21.Tickets to All the Way are on sale now at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org .

Children 11 and under are FREE when accompanied by adult family member. Seniors over 65 or current military members (with valid military ID) receive $5 off all gate prices. Dogs are allowed in on a short leash with a $1 requested donation to animal rescue groups supported by the festival. Leprechauns (in full ceremonial dress and carrying pot of gold) are FREE.

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Jo Ann Holt
Jo Ann Holt is an award-winning journalist with 40+ years of experience as a writer and editor. She loves live performances, from country music concerts to Broadway musicals to community theatre productions. Holt also enjoys art and cultural festivals, and good food and wine. She’s toured Amsterdam, London, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and various cities in Mexico but looks forward to visiting even more countries. She has traveled by boat, plane, and train, but especially likes taking long road trips across the U.S. with her husband, retired history professor Durhl Caussey. They enjoy meeting friendly people, learning about different cultures, and visiting historic sites wherever they go.