Tony Award Winner All the Way Kicks Off The Rep’s 49th Season

Look at Presidential Politics Runs Sept. 9 – Oct. 4

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents All the Way by Robert Schenkkan and directed by Steven Woolf. More topical than ever before, this behind-the-scenes view of Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency runs Sept. 9 through Oct. 4 on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University).

It’s 1963. After JFK’s assassination, Lyndon Johnson becomes America’s “accidental president.” Launched into the presidency over a country in turmoil, LBJ maneuvers and manipulates his way through a series of power plays to pass the Civil Rights Act and to guarantee a full term in the Oval Office. Deception, bullying and blackmail are all strategies in his arsenal. But in this 2014 Tony Award Winner for Best Play, featuring a large landscape of people and characters, LBJ makes clear that it’s not personal, it’s just politics.

All the Way’s talented cast of 19 performers features Brian Dykstra (last seen at The Rep in 2011’s Red) as LBJ. Bernadette Quigley (2009’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde) plays Lady Bird Johnson and Avery Glymph portrays Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Rep debut.

Nearly every other cast member plays two to four important political figures from LBJ’s presidency, for a total of 40 characters. The rest of the cast, alphabetically, consists of Gary Wayne Barker, J. Cameron Barnett, Stephen D’Ambrose, J. Samuel Davis, Ron Himes, Alan Knoll, Anderson Matthews, Richard Prioleau, Michael James Reed, Elizabeth Meadows Rouse, Jon Shaver, Robert Vincent Smith, John Leonard Thompson, Myxolydia Tyler, Jerry Vogel and Kurt Zischke.

Led by artistic director Steven Woolf, the creative staff also includes James Kronzer, set designer, Rob Denton, light designer, Dorothy Marshall Englis, costume designer, Fitz Patton, sound designer, Matthew Young, projection designer, Rich Cole, casting director, Emilee Buchheit, stage manager and Lionel Christian, assistant stage manager.

Major sponsorship for this production is provided by Wells Fargo Advisors. Curtain times are Tuesday at 7 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday at 8 p.m.; selected Wednesday matinees at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday matinees at 4 p.m.; selected Saturday nights at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; and selected Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.

Tickets start at $17.50 (previews) and $21 (regular performances). To purchase, visit The Rep Box Office, located inside the Loretto-Hilton Center, charge by phone by calling 314-968-4925 or visit The Rep Online Box Office at http://www.repstl.org.

The Rep is partnering with the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) to enhance the patron experience of All the Way. Participants can take a free 1-hour tour through SLAM’s collection, featuring works of political drama. No reservations required. More information can be found at http://www.slam.org.

 

 

 

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