The Bully Pulpit, One-Man Show on Teddy Roosevelt, Headed Off-Broadway

The Bully Pulpit, a one-man show about Theodore Roosevelt written and performed by Michael O. Smith, will play a two-month off-Broadway engagement at the Samuel Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row. Previews begin on April 29, with opening night set for May 14. The limited engagement, produced by the South Ark Stage, will run through June 29, directed by Byam Stevens.

The Bully Pulpit takes place in 1918 on Roosevelt's 60th birthday, 10 years after he has left office. Surrounded by mementos of his adventures as a rancher, Rough Rider, naturalist and President, he re-examines the events of his colorful life from humorous and characteristically blunt perspective.

Smith has appeared in touring productions of Dracula, The Elephant Man, Amadeus and 1776 and won several awards for his portrayal of Herman Goering in 2: Goering at Nuremberg. He was a series regular on B. L. Stryker with Burt Reynolds.

The Bully Pulpit premiered at Florida's Studio Theatre in 2004 and has played theaters throughout the country. Scenic design for the off-Broadway production will be by Charlie Corcoran, with lighting designs by Jill Nagle and sound design by Tom Shread.