Bloody Bloody Jackson Video Preview

By Angelo Franco, Broadway Magazine

The legendary seventh president of the United States is ready to gear up for Broadway and leave behind a bloody trail. With opening night just around the corner, the cast and crew of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson offer an inside look into this bold musical that tackles Broadway after a successful run at The Public Theatre.

The musical brings together some guilty pleasures: politics, comedy, and rock and roll. "The show has… all my favorite things. It's got [them] in spades," says writer and director Alex Timbers. As a genre, he explains, it breaks apart from other contemporary rock musicals. Its angst is fun, irreverent, and thoroughly exciting. More than a solemn rendition of rock music, Bloody Bloody offers a thrilling ride through electric guitars and probing lyrics.

Broadway Show: Bloody, Bloody Andrew

To add to the edgy factor is Benjamin Walker, reprising his sexy role of President Jackson, "AJ" for short. It takes one look at him, dancing and swinging and handling that mic, to imagine Walker on stage as AJ, sending the Indians away, appropriating territory, and just being a rock star on his rise to presidency. He's gained rave reviews for his performance, and Walker savors every moment of it. "It's a dream job," Walker boasts in cool demeanor. "I'm living the dream."

Playing Andrew Jackson, how couldn't he be? He takes our seventh Commander-in-Chief from his beginnings in Tennessee, through his riotous youth and rise to power, to his days as President. It makes you wonder if Jackson's political platform served the best interest of the nation, or if the people were just engrossed by his memorable good looks and cheeky personality.

With a talented young cast and creative team, the New York Times called Bloody Bloody its choice for "the season's best musical" while Rolling Stone praised it as the starter of a "revolution in musical theatre." The show marks the Broadway debut of Alex Timbers, the writer and director, and Michael Friedman, music composer and lyricist. It's a thrilling ride that none of them expected to become a surefire Broadway hit.

Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, the men behind the Broadway hit revival of HAIR, have paired up with The Public Theatre to bring this rock musical to Broadway. Richards is excited about the way the show has evolved. It's gone from a fun project to acclaimed production uptown, and is finally ready to thrive on Broadway. "When you find something," Richards says of Bloody Bloody, "and you think it's wonderful, you want to be part of that."

The Broadway production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson will perform at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre. Previews start September 20, with an official opening scheduled for October 13.

Watch the entire video feature, including interviews with the cast and creative team, right here on Broadway.tv. Also check out the pages of Broadway Magazine for additional stories and coverage of the new season.