All the Way with LBJ

Here in the OSF paint shop, we are getting started on our world premier of  "All the Way,"  commissioned from Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Robert Schenkkan.  It's going to be a really powerful and informative show, and beautifully designed as well, by Christopher Acebo, who always delivers something dynamic AND fun to paint!   

Not to mention the power of this show being placed in juxtaposition to "Party People"  being played in the New Theatre right across the street.

From the OSF website:
  
1963.An assassin’s bullet catapults Lyndon Baines Johnson into the presidency. A Shakespearean figure of towering ambition and appetite, the charismatic, conflicted Texan hurls himself into Civil Rights legislation, throwing the country into turmoil. Alternately bullying and beguiling, he enacts major social programs, faces down opponents and wins the 1964 election in a landslide. But in faraway Vietnam, a troublesome conflict looms. In the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright’s vivid dramatization of LBJ’s first year in office, means versus ends plays out on a broad stage canvas as politicians and civil rights leaders plot strategy and wage war.

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Here, you can see a little slideshow of some of the research and fantastic paint elevations given to us by Scenic Designer Christopher Acebo, featuring wood grained congress boxes, circular parquet floor, and marble stairs.  

Below, our Artistic Director, Bill Rauch, talks a little about "All the Way;" it's conception, basic premise, and ideas as well as the correlation with "Party People."  

Watch the progression of the parquet as we tape tape tape our way to completion.  

One of the fun things we did for this project was grain with our fingers! 

Here, our lovely intern, Roxanne demonstrates the technique.

LINKS:  
Some interesting links about the life and tenure of LBJ:

LBJ time line

Kind of Interesting:  Found this message board discussing our production, as well as general thoughts on LBJ.
DemocraticUnderground.com


Should LBJ be Ranked alongside Lincoln?
From Smithsonian.com

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