2017 Regional Theatre Tony Award Recipient Dallas Theater Center (DTC) presents The Great Society at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. A co-production with the Alley Theatre and directed by DTC Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty, The Great Society begins on March 9 and runs through April 1. A Pay-What-You-Can performance will be Sunday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Press Night will be Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to The Great Society are on sale now and by phone at (214) 880-0202.
Following the success of DTC’s 2016 production of All the Way, The Great Society continues the story of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s turbulent presidency in the second part of Robert Schenkkan’s epic theatrical event. While the president fights a “war on poverty” at home, his war in Vietnam begins to spiral out of control. Besieged by political enemies, Johnson desperately fights to pass civil rights legislation and some of the most important social programs in American history, even as the country turns against him and descends into chaos. Filled with a cast of legendary characters from the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bobby Kennedy and Richard Nixon, The Great Society is an exhilarating examination of power, morality and change.
“I’m eager to share The Great Society with our Dallas audiences after its successful run at the Alley Theatre in Houston,” said Moriarty. “Patrons who loved All the Way will enjoy this fast-paced sequel following one of Texas’ leading political figures of the 20th Century. With an incredible team of actors from both Dallas and Houston coming together after being a part of All the Way, the second chapter of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s journey continues to thrill and to speak powerfully to the moment in which we live.”
Returning as Johnson is Brandon Potter (Inherit the Wind, All the Way, Deferred Action). Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company members Ace Anderson (Hair, Inherit the Wind, Public Works Dallas’ The Tempest) and Tiana Kaye Johnson (Hair, Hood: The Robin Hood Musical Adventure, Electra) will play the roles of Stokely Carmichael/Jimmie Lee Jackson and Coretta Scott King/Sally Childress. Additional cast members include Tyrese Allen (Electra, The Christians) as James Bevel/the Rev. Dobynes; James Black as Walter Cronkite; David Coffee (Electra, Fly by Night) as J. Edgar Hoover; Shawn Hamilton (All the Way) as the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Chris Hury (Romeo and Juliet, Medea) as Jim Clark/George Wallace/Richard Nixon; Chris Hutchison (All the Way) as Robert McNamara/Wilbur Mills; David Matranga as Adam Walinsky/Gen. Westmoreland; Dean Nolen as Hubert Humphrey; David Rainey (All the Way) as Adam Clayton Powell/Ralph Abernathy; Santry Rush as Richard Daley/Dr. James Appel; Leah Spillman (Gloria, All the Way,) as Lady Bird Johnson; Jay Sullivan as Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Todd Waite as Sen. Everett Dirksen/Lingo/Clifford. Southern Methodist University students in the cast include Lindsay Ryan (The Christians) as Sheriff’s Auxiliary/Muriel Humphrey/Pat Nixon and Ryan Woods (Gloria) as Bob Moses/Father Clements.
Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt (All the Way, A Christmas Carol, Tempest) returns, alongside costume designer Jen Caprio (A Christmas Carol, All the Way, Medea); original music and sound design by Broken Chord (Hair, Electra, All the Way); lighting design by Clifton Taylor (All the Way, Deferred Action) and projection design by Caite Hevner (All the Way, Deferred Action).
In addition to The Great Society, DTC and the Sixth Floor Museum will host a community conversation that is free and open to the public on Monday, March 12 at 6 p.m. Moderated by Moriarty and featuring panel members Lee Cullum, Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney and playwright Robert Schenkkan, the conversation will feature insights into the play.
DTC’s Come Early will take place before every performance, and DTC’s Stay Late will take place after each performance. Come Early is a free, 30-minute informative talk designed to enhance a patron’s play-going experience. Given one hour before every performance, a member of the cast or artistic staff will share details about the play’s origins and context, as well as share insight into the creative process behind the production. Stay Late is a free, brief, post-show conversation with a member of the cast about the show. Patrons will engage with the artists, learn about the production and be able to share their insights about the play in a lively discussion. Stay Late is presented by Wells Fargo.
