Harry Truman News

A truly funny - but very off-color - satire of American government and those we let run it. The purpose of a review should be to tell you what the play is about (without spoiling too much) and whether it’s worth your valuable time and money. 

This time, the reader question was: Oh, Mary! currently has so much buzz off-Broadway. What is the history of American presidents being depicted on stage?

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2023-24 season with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Geoff Elliott and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Associate Artistic Director of KCRep/UMKC Partnership Jason Chanos.

EDDIE, the play, ends with the recognition of Israel by the United States.  A short, two- paragraph statement immediately conveyed the backing of the world’s wealthiest nation with the world’s most powerful military.  But that was not the end of the story either for Israel or for Eddie Jacobson.

It is hard to imagine a tougher gig for any actor than a one-man show about an historical personage; especially in front of people who may have known that person in life or are related to him by blood. This is the towering achievement of actor Victor Raider-Wexler as he conjured up the living being of Westport clothier and Harry Truman presidential buddy Eddie Jacobson for two only performances at the White Theatre inside the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park on May 13 and May 14.

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, a not commonly cited friendship, between President Harry S. Truman and a Kansas City friend may well have had an outsized influence on the success of the new tiny country.   That man was Eddie Jacobson, Truman’s close friend since 1905. Both Truman and Jacobson served in the same World War I artillery unit, became business partners, and remained lifelong friends.   

As Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary as a modern nation in May, The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J) and Kansas City Actors Theatre present the one-man show 'Eddie: The Friendship That Changed History'.

Through rare footage, oral histories, and interviews, The American Diplomat explores the lives and legacies of three African-American ambassadors — Edward R. Dudley, Terence Todman and Carl Rowan — who pushed past historical and institutional racial barriers to reach high-ranking appointments in the Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations.

Redhouse Arts Center has just announced the addition of a one man show for one weekend only. Give ‘Em Hell, Harry! by Samuel Gallu, will star Redhouse favorite Fred Grandy (from the beloved “Love Boat” and former United States Representative from Iowa) and also marks the Redhouse return of Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster who will direct the show. The shows will take place for one weekend only beginning, Friday January 28th and running through Sunday, January 30th only. Grandy, a self-professed fan of the 33rd President, will step into Truman’s shoes for this one-act reprise of the 1975 Samuel Gallu play featuring the wit and wisdom of Harry Truman that will present like a historical cabaret.

Give 'Em Hell, Harry runs at The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, MI from December 8-12 only. The production is now running a special offer for $10 off tickets with the code PRESIDENT13 at checkout.

When Harry Truman was unexpectedly thrust into office, in 1945, he was ridiculed by both the press and the public as “the little man from Missouri”; by the time he left office, seven years later, he was hailed the world over as one of the great leaders of the 20th Century.

Performance artist John Fleck will present four live, work-in-progress performances of his musical cabaret/special event it’s alive, IT’S ALIVE! at the Odyssey Theatre starting September 18th. Had the chance to chat up this infamous NEA FOUR artist on his creativity, his patience in the makeup chair and his creative history with David Schweizer.

In this comedy about love and diplomacy, Sally Adams, the unconventional ‘queen of Washington society’, is appointed US ambassador to the tiny Grand Duchy of Lichtenburg. She’s intent on refusing to shore up that country’s finances with American money. That is, until she meets Cosmo Constantine, the Lichtenburg foreign minister, and finds his charms irresistible.

Ahead of the start of the 38th Season, Theatre Aspen announced today that after a successful first flight, the organization will present its second annual one-person show festival, Solo Flights, as the third act of this year’s summer season, August 25 – 31, 2021 at the Hurst Theatre in Aspen, Colorado.

‘“The Blinding of Isaac Woodard’ illustrates how a single individual can be the spark that ignites a movement and creates a seismic shift in public opinion,” said Cameo George, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE executive producer. “Although his name is little-known today, Isaac Woodard’s story changed hearts and minds—and the law of the land.”

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, the acclaimed signature history series on PBS, returns on Monday, January 11 with a new season of documentaries about extraordinary 20th-century Americans — some famous, some unsung — who left their marks on American history and culture.

Gary Morgenstein's drama Saving Stan, a love story about passion friendship and suicide, will kick off the new Survival is Insufficient Zoom Theater reading series on Tuesday, October 6 at 7PM.

Broadway's Best Shows, a new home for entertaining, engaging content, long form features and exclusive access to Broadway's Best, will launch the weekly one-night-only 'Spotlight On Plays' series beginning Thursday, May 7, 2020 to benefit The Actors Fund.

The Dartmouth College Department of Theater will present the US premiere of a new hit UK play with tremendous curb appeal and high praise in the British press.

The NYC premiere of 'BOOM,' is now thrilling audiences at 59E59 Theaters. This multi-media, musical and theatrical event is written, directed, and performed by the Dora and Gemini award-winner, Rick Miller.