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'''''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson''''' is a [[rock musical]] with music and lyrics written by [[Michael Friedman (composer)|Michael Friedman]] and a [[Book (musical theatre)#Definitions|book]] written by its director [[Alex Timbers]].<ref name=lesfreres>[{{cite web |title=Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson |url=http://www.lesfreres.org/archives/06_jackson.html "|website=Les 'BloodyFreres BloodyCorbusier Andrew|access-date=August Jackson'20, production history"]2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908095307/http://www.lesfreres.org,/archives/06_jackson.html retrieved|archive-date=September August 208, 2010}}</ref>
The show is a comedic historical rock musical about the founding of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. It redefines [[Andrew Jackson]], America's seventh President, as an [[emo]] rock star and focuses on [[populism]], the [[Indian Removal Act]], and his relationship with his wife [[Rachel Jackson|Rachel]].
===World premiere===
Developed by New York-based experimental company [[Les Freres Corbusier]], ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' had workshop productions in August 2006 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and in May 2007 at the New 42nd Street Studios, New York. It premiered in January 2008 in Culver City, California at the [[Kirk Douglas Theatre]], produced by [[Center Theatre Group]]. The cast included [[Sebastian Arcelus]], [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]], Kevin Del Aguila, Darren Goldstein, Greg Hildreth, Jeff Hiller, Adam O'Byrne, Maria Elena Ramirez, Kate Roberts, Jeanine Serralles, Ben Steinfeld, Robbie Sublett, Ian Unterman, and Ben Walker. Robert Brill was the set designer, Jeff Croiter the lighting designer, Emily Rebholz the costume designer, Bart Fasbender the sound designer, and Jacob Pinholster the video designer. Kelly Devine was the choreographer and [[Gabriel Kahane]] the music director.<ref name=lesfreres/><ref name="center">[{{cite web |url=http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=3198 " '|title=Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' listing]|website=Center Theatre Group |accessdate=2008-02-28 {{webarchive|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228215152/http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=3198 |datearchivedate=2008-02-28 }} Center Theatre Group, retrieved August 20, 2010</ref>
===New York premiere===
''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' opened [[Off-Broadway]] in May 2009 at The [[Public Theater]] in New York in a concert version, and returned to run from March 23 (previews) to June 27, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |urlname=http:"center"//www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=3198 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2008-02-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228215152/http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=3198 |archivedate=2008-02-28 }}</ref> The cast included [[River Alexander]], David Axelrod, James Barry, Darren Goldstein, Greg Hildreth, Jeff Hiller, Lisa Joyce, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe, [[Bryce Pinkham]], Maria Elena Ramirez, Kate Roberts, Ben Steinfeld, Ben Walker, Matthew Rocheleau and Colleen Werthmann. Scenic design was by [[Donyale Werle]], lighting design by Justin Townsend, costume design by Emily Rebholz, and sound design by Bart Fasbender. Danny Mefford was the choreographer and Justin Levine was the music director.<ref>[{{cite web |title=Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson |url=http://publictheater.org/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,141/id,1005 Bloody|website=Public BloodyTheater Andrew|access-date=March Jackson12, 2010] {{webarchive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324051943/http://publictheater.org/component/option%2Ccom_shows/task%2Cview/Itemid%2C141/id%2C1005 |archive-date=March 24, 2010 }} publictheater.org, retrieved March 12, 2010</ref><ref name=times1>{{cite web |last=Brantley, |first=Ben. [http|title=Old Hickory, That Emo Punk, Singing and Dancing to Fame |url=https://theaterwww.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/theater/reviews/18bran.html Theater Review: 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'] ''|website=The New York Times'' |access-date=March 28, 2022 |date=May 1817, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick, |first=Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138452-Emo-Rock-Musical-Bloody-Bloody-Andrew-Jackson-Opens-at-the-Public-Theater-April-6 |title=Emo Rock Musical ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' Opens at the Public Theater April 6"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503112949/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138452emo-Emorock-Rockmusical-Musicalbloody-Bloodybloody-Bloodyandrew-Andrewjackson-Jackson-Opensopens-at-the-Publicpublic-Theatertheater-Aprilapril-6-com-167384 |website=Playbill |access-date=MayMarch 328, 2010 }} playbill.com,2022 |date=April 6, 2010}}</ref>
===Broadway premiere===
The show premiered on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre]], with previews starting on September 21, 2010 and opening night October 13, 2010. Many of the cast from the off-Broadway production reprised their roles, including [[Benjamin Walker (actor)|Benjamin Walker]] in the title role, Maria Elena Ramirez, Jeff Hiller and Lucas Near-Verbrugghe.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick, |first=Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142237-Broadway-Run-of-Bloody-Bloody-Andrew-Jackson-Will-Include-Original-Cast-Members "|title=Broadway Run of ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' Will Include Original Cast Members"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821222416/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142237broadway-Broadway-Runrun-of-Bloodybloody-Bloodybloody-Andrewandrew-Jacksonjackson-Willwill-Includeinclude-Originaloriginal-Castcast-Membersmembers-com-171051 |website=Playbill |access-date=AugustMarch 2128, 2010 }} playbill.com,2022 |date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Despite positive reviews and early Tony buzz, the musical closed on January 2, 2011, after 120 performances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick, |first=Adam.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/146232-Bloody-Bloody-Andrew-Jackson-Ends-Broadway-Term-Jan-2 "|title=''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' Ends Broadway Term Jan. 2"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109111720/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/146232bloody-Bloodybloody-Bloodyandrew-Andrewjackson-Jacksonends-Endsbroadway-Broadwayterm-Termjan-Jan2-2com-174790 |website=Playbill |access-date=JanuaryMarch 928, 2011 }} playbill.com,2022 |date=January 2, 2011}}</ref>
Critics {{Who?|reason=Citations need|date=August 2021}} blamed the poor economy during the show's run and its unorthodox story and presentation for the show's failure to build popularity on Broadway. The play, which cost $4.5 million to produce, "will close at a loss to investors," said ''[[The New York Times]]'', which characterized it as "a favorite of critics that has had trouble catching on with theatergoers."<ref>{{cite web |last=Healy, |first=Patrick.[http |title='Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' to Close |url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-to-close/?ref=theater "'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’ to Close"] ''|website=The New York Times,'' December|access-date=March 128, 2010.2022 Accessed|date=December August 311, 2021.2010}}</ref>
===Boston ===
Its first [[Boston]] production was at the SpeakEasy Stage Company in October 2012, the show was directed by Paul Melone, musical direction Nicholas James Connell, choreography Larry Sousa, fight choreography Angie Jepson, set design Eric Levenson, costume design Elisabetta Polito, lighting design Jeff Adelberg, sound design Eric Norris, stage manager Amy Spalletta and assistant stage manager Katherine Clanton.<ref name="speak">[http{{cite web |title=Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson |url=https://www.speakeasystage.com/2012/07/04/bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-2/] speakeasystage.com|website=SpeakEasy Stage}}</ref>
The cast featured Brandon Barbosa (Lyncoya), Samil Battenfeld (Lyncoya), Mary Callanan (Storyteller/Ensemble), Gus Curry (Andrew Jackson), Tom Hamlett (John Quincy Adams/Ensemble), Ryan Halsaver (John Calhoun), Amy Jo Jackson (Ensemble), Michael Levesque (Ensemble), Evan Murphy (Ensemble), Josh Pemberton (Martin Van Buren), Diego Klok Perez (Henry Clay/Black Fox/Ensemble), Ben Rosenblatt (James Monroe), Alessandra Vaganek (Rachel Jackson), and Brittany Walters (Ensemble).<ref name=speak/>
===Other productions===
The first production of the show after its New York run was a non-Equity performance at the [[University School of Nashville]] in November, 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brady|first=Martin|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts-culture/article/13053028/old-hickory-superstar-a-taste-of-bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson|title=Old Hickory, Superstar: A Taste of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson|work=Nashville Scene|date=March 14, 2014|access-date=2018-10-23|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usn.org/page/news-detail?pk=595266|title=HS Musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson to Inspire Discussion|date=2011-10-11|work=University School of Nashville|access-date=2018-10-23|language=en}}</ref> The performance was met with great enthusiasm from the Nashville community and long-time supporters of Andrew Jackson.<ref name="Ellis">{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/nashville/article/BWW-Reviews-University-School-of-Nashville-Takes-on-BLOODY-BLOODY-ANDREW-JACKSON-20111103|title=BWW Reviews: University School of Nashville Takes on BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON|last=Ellis|first=Jeffrey|work=BroadwayWorld.com|date=November 3, 2011|access-date=2018-10-23|language=en}}</ref> The production was directed by Catherine Coke with music direction by Ginger Newman and choreography by Abigayle Horrell. The cast included Sam Douglas as Andrew Jackson, Abigayle Horrell as Rachel Jackson, and Forest Miller as the bandleader.<ref name="Ellis"/>
The show was produced by [[Know Theatre of Cincinnati]] in April 2012, with ''The Dukes are Dead'' as the onstage band.
===Controversy===
The original Off-Broadway run was criticized by the Native American community at large and a production in [[Minneapolis]] in June 2014 faced public protest by New Native Theatre.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Royce|first1=Graydon|title=JournalistNew Native Theatre protests 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'|url=http://www.startribune.com/new-native-theatre-protests-bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson/261888441/|accessdate=13 June 2016|publishernewspaper=Star Tribune|date=June 4, 2014}}</ref>
At the Fountain Theatricals, a student organization at [[Stanford University]] dedicated to musical theatre and performing arts education, cancelled its production of the show for their Fall 2014 semester production due to pressure from the Stanford American Indian Organization. SAIO voiced concerns about the use of offensive caricatures of Native people regardless of the satirical style of the show.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Zingheim|first1=Kate|title=Journalist'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' canceled after concerns by Native American community|url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2014/11/21/bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-canceled-over-concerns-by-native-community/|accessdate=13 June 2016|publisherwebsite=Stanford Daily}}</ref>
Raleigh Little Theatre cancelled their 2015 season's production of ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' and replaced it with ''[[Hedwig and the Angry Inch (musical)|Hedwig and the Angry Inch]]'', claiming a lack of support from local members of the Native American community.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Purcell|first1=Carey|title=JournalistControversial Musical ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' Canceled in Raleigh|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/controversial-musical-bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-canceled-in-raleigh-com-339227|accessdate=13 June 2016|publisherwebsite=Playbill.com|date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>
== Musical numbers ==
== Reception ==
''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' received mostly positive to mixed reviews. The ''[[New York Daily News]]'' called it "bloody entertaining" and Benjamin Walker "magnetic and energetic," applauding the show for its lightweight and silly atmosphere.<ref>[{{cite web |last=Dziemianowicz |first=Joe |title='Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' review: Old Hickory meets Adam Lambert in spirited pop-rock musical |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/2010/10/14/2010bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-review-old-hickory-meets-adam-lambert-spirited-pop-rock-musical-10article-14_bloody_bloody_andrew_jackson_review_old_hickory_meets_adam_lambert_in_spirited_p1.html] ''The187065 |website=New York Daily News'' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727054912/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-review-old-hickory-meets-adam-lambert-spirited-pop-rock-musical-article-1.187065 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |date=October 14, 2010}}</ref>
[[Terry Teachout]] of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' appraised it thus: "Comically speaking, ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'' is a one-joke show that gets three-quarters of its laughs from hearing 19th-century characters use 21st-century slang. Politically speaking, it's little more than an ultra-predictable mashup of Howard Zinn and ''Dances With Wolves'' (white people bad, red people good)… Michael Friedman's hard-edged, guitar-driven score is, however, another story. The music is tuneful, [and] the lyrics are honest-to-God smart."<ref>''The{{cite Wallweb Street|last=Teachout Journal,''|first=Terry October|title=Emo-cracy 15,Comes 2010to [Broadway |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704361504575551990855593242 "Emo-cracy|website=The ComesWall toStreet Broadway"],Journal by|access-date=August Terry31, Teachout.2021 Retrieved|date=October August 3115, 2021.2010}}</ref>
Ben Brantley of ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted: "There's not a show in town that more astutely reflects the state of this nation than ''Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson''… both smarter and cruder than your average Broadway fare";<ref>[http{{cite web |last=Brantley |first=Ben |title=Ideal President: A Rock Star Just Like Me |url=https://theaterwww.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/theater/reviews/14bloody.html] ''|website=The New York Times''. "Ideal|access-date=March President: A Rock Star Just Like Me28," by Ben Brantley.2022 |date=October 13, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2021.}}</ref> whereas fellow ''[[The New York Times|Times]]'' critic [[Charles Isherwood]] said the musical "taps most directly into the vein of snarky post-collegiate humor epitomized by ''The Daily Show'' and ''The Colbert Report''… and panders cheerfully to the taste for ribald humor that is a primary ingredient in the more frat-boyish elements of late-night comedy."<ref>''The{{cite Newweb York|last=Isherwood Times,''|first=Charles December|title=Theatrical 10,Stumbles 2010of [Historic Proportions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/theater/12history.html "Theatrical|website=The StumblesNew ofYork HistoricTimes Proportions"]|access-date=August 31, by2021 Charles|date=December Isherwood. Retrieved August 3110, 2021.2010}}</ref>
A San Francisco critic of that city's production, however, referred to the musical as "an unmistakable exercise in American self-loathing,"<ref>[{{cite web |last=Alonzo |first=Gregory M. |title=Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson : San Francisco Playhouse : A Capsule Review |url=http://www.bayareacriticatlarge.com/2012/10/bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-san.html] |website=Bay Area Critic-at-Large: ''Bloody|access-date=August Bloody31, Andrew Jackson'' at San Francisco2021 Playhouse|archive-url=https: A Capsule Review//web. October 13, archive.org/web/20210831080959/http://www.bayareacriticatlarge.com/2012/10/bloody-bloody-andrew-jackson-san.html Retrieved |archive-date=August 31, 2021. |date=October 13, 2012}}</ref> while ''[[Power Line]]'' blog critic Scott Johnson of Minneapolis–St. Paul termed the play in retrospect "the worst thing I’dI'd ever seen performed on a stage, bar none… extraordinarily unfunny."<ref>''Power{{cite Line,''web December|last=Johnson 15,|first=Scott 2010.|title=In [Which Charles Isherwood Blames the Victims |url=https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/12/027924.php "In|website=Power WhichLine Charles|access-date=August Isherwood Blames the Victims"]31, by2021 Scott|date=December Johnson. Retrieved August 3115, 2021.2010}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations==
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