Will Rogers: an American Original April 9, 2010

First Folio Theatre presents the world premiere of 'Will Rogers: An American Original,' written by and starring Kevin McKillip, based on the life and writings of Will Rogers. This one-man show explores the life and times of America's most popular humorist. At the time of his death in 1935, Will Rogers hosted the most popular radio show in America, had a daily column that ran in over 400 papers, and was the number one male box office star for three years running. In the course of a career that included both Cactus Jack's Wild West Show and the Ziegfeld Follies, Will Rogers invented the American stand-up comic. Using his trick roping skills to punctuate his delivery, Will Rogers' folksy humor set the groundwork for every stand-up comedian in the 20th Century. His observations on government, the economy, and society are as timely now as when he first made them. Famous for the statement, "I never met a man I didn't like," Will Rogers is the quintessential image of the common man.