Benjamin Walker (who play the venerable president) also previously played another president in a musical – Andrew Jackson in the musical Bloody, Bloody, Andrew Jackson. So, of course, I had to find out more about this musical I had never heard of.
Bloody, Bloody, Andrew Jackson was performed on Broadway from October 13, 2010 through January 2, 2011. Despite positive reviews from the critics, it didn’t draw the fans that it needed to prolong it’s Broadway run.
The show is a rock musical focusing on the career of Andrew Jackson (who is portrayed as an emo rockstar of course) including all of the notable events such as the Indian Removal Act, The Battle of New Orleans, the drama of his marriage to Rachel and much more. Many other notable personages such as Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and Martin Van Buren have roles in this play as well. And of course there are songs!
I don’t know if it looks like a great show that I would have paid Broadway prices to see, but I would probably go see it in an off-Broadway production just to see it. Below I have included a video clip of a preview of the show – clips of several of the songs as well as a playlist of the songs from the musical. Please be advised, there is some foul language in both the video and song clips.
The songs aren’t all that bad in terms of the historical information – they are at least interesting. I just think that it is awesome that a Broadway musical about a president was made.
What do you think of the show based off the songs and video clips? Would you see it? Have you seen it?
Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court
That is very interesting. He is kind of overlooked in terms of historical presidents, in my mind. But he did some (not so) amazing things.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know all that much about him - but what I do know isn't all that great. I'm looking forward to reading more about him and learning more.
DeleteI would have loved to see this. Assassins is my fourth favorite musical and I really enjoy the incorporation of accurate historical facts into song. While I loathe Jackson, I heard Walker delivered a powerful performance.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very cool to see historical facts incorporated in a fun way. More people are likely to learn history if it is presented in different ways.
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