Meet John Doe
In 1941, Academy award-winning director Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Lost Horizon) directed Meet John Doe, a film about an aggressive newspaperwoman who, as a parting shot to a depression-era downsizing, files a false story about an unemployed “John Doe”.
The factious Doe threatens to commit suicide by throwing himself off the Brooklyn Bridge, in protest to the way the government and everyday Americans have abandoned the downtrodden during the Depression.
The story becomes an instant media sensation, and after being rehired by her paper, the reporter must find somebody to impersonate John Doe.
Hiring a down and out baseball pitcher who needs arm surgery to return to the bush leagues, John Willoughby steps into the role as Doe and representing the Everyman, and quickly becomes an instant media sensation. Things snowball into a national grassroots political movement as the Golden Rule message of the new John Doe Society spreads across America.
The addition of a newspaper publisher with a secret political plan of his own, a sharp-tongued sidekick who continually tries to get Willoughby leave town before things get even more complicated, and a blossoming love story, cause Doe to seriously consider the original suicide plan after he is publicly revealed to be a fraud.
In Capra’s movie version, he filmed four different endings and then tested them with audiences across the country. After testing the various endings, he returned to the studio to film a fifth and final version which was used in the national release.
The new musical production and world premiere of Meet John Doe currently running at historic Ford’s Theatre tells a great story about watching out for your fellow man that relates to the original time period as well as to today. It incorporates big Broadway-style tunes - original jazz and lyrics, that make you feel as if it’s 1931.
The lead character, sassy reporter Ann Mitchell, is played by Heidi Blickenstaff; who in my opinion could easily take the lead in any Broadway musical and delight her audience. Her on stage presence and energy makes her instantly credible and likable, plus her powerful voice rivals ANY you will hear on Broadway today. Her singing alone is worth the price of admission.
And the play’s ending is also different from all five of the Carpa movie endings, so even if you are familair with the story, watch for the ending twist.
Meet John Doe
Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW, between E and F Streets NW
Washington, DC 20004
Tickets - $25.00 - $52.00 and are available online
Dates and Times - the play runs through April 29th, May 20, 2007 (it’s been extended) with nightly performances (except Mondays) and matinées on Saturdays, Sundays and Thursdays.
Nearest Metro subway station – Metro Center – Red, Blue and Orange lines, Gallery Place - Red, Green and Yellow lines and the Archives/Navy Memorial - Yellow and Green lines are all a short walk.
Parking - Available on the street and in area garages.
Photo credits: All photos by T. Charles Erickson - 2007, courtesy of Ford’s Theatre. Photo 1 - Cast of Meet John Doe, photo 2 - Guy Paul and Heidi Blickenstaff
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1 Comment
This is a great show! James Moye does a great job as John Doe as does Heidi Blickenstaff as the reporter. G