Telling the story of folk hero Will Rogers

American folk hero Will Rogers once wrote, “When I die, my epitaph is going to read: ‘I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like.’ I am so proud of that. I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved.”

Sadly, the day of his death came sooner than imagined when Rogers was in an airplane crash in Alaska in 1935 with the famed aviator, Wiley Post. By that time, his resume had more entries than a phone book: vaudeville star, humorist, author, rodeo star, as well as at the time being the highest-paid movie actor in Hollywood. He even ran for president in 1928, running in the self-created “Anti-Bunk Party,” with his campaign promise being that if he won he would resign immediately. He previously had stated publicly, "I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat."

Conceived by Librettist Peter Stone, director and choreographer Tommy Tune brought “The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue” to Broadway in 1991. It originally was supposed to star John Denver, who bowed out before rehearsals began. The irony that both Rogers and Denver both died in plane crashes is lost on no one. Denver was replaced by Keith Carradine and the show ran for nearly 1,000 performances and won six Tony Awards, beating out the heavily-favored “Miss Saigon” for Best Musical.

The Marion Palace Theatre is bringing “The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue” to the main stage on July 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Director Clare Cooke will add this production as the latest of the dozens of shows she has been a part of since choreographing “Oliver” in 1977. Choreographer Kristi Wink made her Broadway debut in the original production and will be recreating the original Tommy Tune choreography.

Palace veteran and recent Wright State University theatre graduate Tanner Wink is heading the cast of 45, taking on the title role. Supporting cast members include Madi Schenk as Betty Blake, Dustin Rawlins as Clem Rogers and Morgan Schwartz as “Ziegfeld’s Favorite.”

"It is an absolute honor to bring this six-time Tony Award winner to the Palace stage," Cooke said. "Will Rogers was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator and his story comes to life in this wonderful musical. Kristi has taught the original Broadway choreography designed by Tommy Tune, and the elaborate costumes create a beautiful picture for every scene. It is a great American musical all ages will enjoy."

Tickets for the summer musical are available at the Palace Theatre Box Office 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, by calling the box office at 740-383-2101, or via website at marionpalace.org. A $5 per ticket surcharge is charged for each ticket ordered online.

Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre. For more information about theatre events and activities, go to marionpalace.org.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Telling the story of folk hero Will Rogers