By Kristina Powers Aubry
Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States, will be making a return visit to the Vicksburg/Schoolcraft are a on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Vicksburg Performing Arts Center under the auspices of the Vicksburg Historical Society.
Dr. Ken Franklin will be reprising his role of the “Bully President”, which was so well received two years ago when performed at the Ladies Library in Schoolcraft but with new material, especially as it pertains to TR’s offspring who were known to be more than mischievous.
Theodore Roosevelt was well known as an outdoorsman, a leader of the Rough Riders cavalry unit at the Battle of San Jun Hill during the Spanish-American War, a New York state legislator, assistant secretary of the Navy, vice-president and president of the United States. A greatly enthusiastic individual, he led the movements which resulted in anti-trust legislation, railroad regulation, pure food and drug legislation, the national parks, and secured the treaty which led to the creation of the Panama Canal. He also won the Nobel Peace prize in 1906.
Dr. Franklin brings a personal intimacy in his one-man presentation of the well-known president. Highlighting the political man and the intensely loving family man, both the successes and failures of this historical figure are brought to light on the stage as Franklin is almost the personification of TR, even in real life.
The program is being sponsored by the Vicksburg Historical Society and open to the public, free of charge. Fans of TR are urged to bring a copy of this article with them to exchange for a picture and biography of this one-of-a-kind American hero when they arrive at the PAC, according to the producer Kristina Powers Aubry. She too will be introducing the show as the “society lady”, who just happens to appear both to introduce Roosevelt and end the show with questions from the audience about “Teddy’s” life and times.