Looking Over the President's Shoulder-Audience Reviews(Submit your own review)The Butler Did It 11/11/2008 From the moment that Barry Scott walks on stage, he captivates and invites the audience to join him on a nostalgic journey through the elegance, sophistication, and complexity of serving in The White House, as a butler. Through discretion and proper etiquette, he introduces you to presidents, first ladies, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries. The portrait of Alonzo Fields, chief butler, reveals the disappointment of dreams deferred, pride of country and race, a wicked and unexpected sense of humor of a presumed uptight butler, and an unrelenting loyalty to commanders in chief. The butler did it--he chronicles life in The White House, much like a fly on the wall would, if it could.  Looking Over The President's Shoulder 11/11/2008 I saw a play last night that I had to share with you; it ends Sunday and was truly amazing. Based on the life of Alonzo Fields, it is a one-man play, 100% factual (from his personal diaries and interviews with his widow.) His delivery flawlessly, powerfully, and brilliantly delivers to the audience his first-hand recollections of each president. What you hear are his memories not only of these president's personalities, quirks, daily regimens, etc., but also those of the First Ladies and many of the children. Also recounted are his memories of the King & Queen of England, Winston Churchill, Errol Flynn, James Cagney, and so many other famous people. He does many impressions, including Churchill, whom he spent much time with. Unbelievable was to learn about many historic, pivotal moments, e.g., when Pearl Harbor was attacked, Roosevelt died, and often enhanced by piped-in actual radio broadcasts. You hear which Presidents were empathetic and caring of the "servants," and which were aloof, indifferent and obsessed with the idea of servants "being seen, not heard." There is a 15 minute intermission. There is not a bad seat in the house, and only about 15 rows and total seating of around 200-300. You can order tickets online, print your ticket, and present it at the box office. The actor, Barry Scott, 53, from Nashville, has had leading roles of all sorts, including a Fox Theatre performance of Ain't Got Long to Stay, based on the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a tribute to Dr. King. During the intermission at the Fox, he was shocked to have Coretta King knock at his door, who came in and praised and thanked him for his accuracy, passion, etc. After the show, I waited for him at the stage door to get an autograph, and we ended up talking for almost 30 minutes. (No entourage, snootiness, etc., he was alone pulling his own suitcase.) I had so many questions which he not only answered but often expanded on. Last night was his 50th performance. I urge you to take advantage of this rare opportunity, as this is not a traveling show and has only been performed once before, by a different actor, years ago. He Took Great Notes! 10/02/2008 "The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity, and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity, will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water." Dr. John Gardners comment came to mind tonight as I settled down to watch a one man show dealing with more than 20 years of history of the White House, through the eyes of a butler. I recognize my general tendency to seek history through more exalted eyes, like Henry Kissinger or David McCullough or Michael Beschloss, and I try to discount it. It wasnt five minutes later that I was at least mentally slapping myself silly at my arrogance. Barry Scott, as chief butler Alonzo Fields, led me and my 70+year-old mind through a more intimate, and positive, set of snapshots behind the scenes of the White House tenure of Presidents Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower, than anything Id ever seen. As the grandson of a freed slave who grew up in what he describes as a colored town in Indiana, he studied music and wanted to be an opera singer. As a young husband with a family to support, he wound up taking a job as a domestic during the depression. That resulted in his being hired in the White House. He took copious notes, which he shares in these two hours; it is a recitation which provides, in equal measures, entertainment, history, and inspiration. It disserves the reader to describe the play further. Suffice it to say that this play is a living diary of race, and racial progress. It begins in a town founded by freed slaves after the civil war, and winds up with Mr. Fields serving for the president who ordered the integration of our armed forces. As he matured, fitting himself into the life hed made for himself, he also chronicles our countrys maturation or, at least, steps moving in that direction. As such a history, it is a fitting preamble to the decision facing all of us in this election season. A Big Man with A Big show 10/01/2008 Barry Scott gives an awesome performance as Alonzo Fields. He captured my interest from the beginning. The story was told so vividly, I felt like I was peeking thru the curtains of the White House as the events were unfolded. The humor was a plus to a sometimes serious story. Overall, it was great! Submit your own review for Looking Over the President's ShoulderTheatre in the Square Audience Review RulesOur audience reviews are a great way for you to share your comments on shows with others. When you submit an audience review, you agree that all information contained in your review is your own original work and that the submission and posting of your review does not and will not violate any third party's rights. Please follow the Rules below to ensure that your review can be posted. The Rules
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