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Home , All the Way (play), Stanley Levison

HELPFUL HINTS FOR THEATER AUDIENCES

CONTENTS The Play Meet the Playwright Presidential Profile A Congress of Characters The Fight for the Future Three Big Questions Resources

THE PLAY Breaking News: 1963. President John F. has been assassinated. In this moment of crisis, Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) takes the oath of office on Air Force One. Suddenly president, Johnson must restore order by proving himself a capable Commander-in-Chief.

However, Congress is ready to wage war over a radical new proposal: the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While Johnson supports the act, opponents of this revolutionary legislation will not let it pass without a fight. Dr. Martin , Jr. becomes the president’s newest passionate negotiator and collaborator.

Time is ticking. Johnson only has 11 months before the next presidential election. Determined to keep the presidency, he ruthlessly negotiates with Congress, union bosses and civil rights BY leaders. He must keep his conservative colleagues satisfied – like friend Senator DIRECTED BY KYLE DONNELLY Richard Russell – while forwarding the progressive ideas of liberal politicians, like potential running mate Senator . If he keeps the peace in Congress, his second term is guaranteed.

Can Johnson take his presidency all the way? NOW PLAYING ON THE FICHANDLER STAGE “IF WE DON’T ACT NOW, THIS APRIL 1 — MAY 8, 2016 OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT Illustration by Sam Spratt. CIVIL RIGHTS WILL DISAPPEAR FOREVER. The D.C. Ticket Partnership is generously sponsored by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. ARE YOU IN, OR ARE YOU OUT?” Additional support is provided by Rockwell Collins. All the Way is generously sponsored by . – Lyndon Baines Johnson, All the Way Additional support is provided by , and the David Bruce Smith Foundation.

its ratification, many were finally finally were many ratification, its reprise the role on HBO. on role the reprise

resident votes at Cardozo High School. High Cardozo at votes resident

Rights Act of 1964 after fighting for for fighting after 1964 of Act Rights

D.C. African-American An 1964: 4, November

of of was Johnson. He will will He Johnson. was Bad Breaking When Johnson signed the Civil Civil the signed Johnson When

equal chance at success. at chance equal

the role. On Broadway, Brian Cranston Cranston Brian Broadway, On role. the

regardless of race, would have an an have would race, of regardless

declare a war on poverty. All citizens, citizens, All poverty. on war a declare

Stage’s production, was the first to play play to first the was production, Stage’s

voice. Federal government would would government Federal voice.

Jack Willis, President Johnson in Arena Arena in Johnson President Willis, Jack broadcasting would unite the national national the unite would broadcasting

of “abundance and liberty.” Public Public liberty.” and “abundance of

This would be a place place a be would Society Great This

would later call “the Great Society.” Society.” Great “the call later would

across the nation. the across envisioned a new America, which he he which America, new a envisioned 70+ pens just used to sign the Civil Rights Act Rights Civil the sign to used just pens 70+

July 2, 1964: Johnson offers Dr. King one of the the of one King Dr. offers Johnson 1964: 2, July Johnson seized the moment. He He moment. the seized Johnson on stages, TVs and movie screens screens movie and TVs stages, on

Schenkkan’s writing has been seen seen been has writing Schenkkan’s

call “the accidental presidency.” accidental “the call

remainder of the term – a period some some period a – term the of remainder

American history. history. American

Force One. He was president for the the for president was He One. Force

exemplary drama inspired by by inspired drama exemplary impromptu oath of office aboard Air Air aboard office of oath impromptu

M. Kennedy Prize, an award for for award an Prize, Kennedy M. assassinated in 1963, Johnson took an an took Johnson 1963, in assassinated

All The Way The All won the Edward Edward the won 2013, In the vice president. When Kennedy was was Kennedy When president. vice the

John F. Kennedy in 1960, and became became and 1960, in Kennedy F. John

unpopular leader. unpopular bargaining, Johnson ran alongside alongside ran Johnson bargaining,

bipartisanship for the efficacy of this sometimes sometimes this of efficacy the for and forceful forceful and for

With an outstanding reputation reputation outstanding an With acquired newfound admiration admiration newfound acquired

The Great Society Great The . Schenkkan Schenkkan . and

majority leader of the Senate. the of leader majority

political parties political All The Way Way The All resulting in two plays: plays: two in resulting

1948. In 1953, he became the youngest youngest the became he 1953, In 1948.

bipartisanship – cooperation between two two between cooperation – led him to President Johnson, Johnson, President to him led

when he became a U.S. Senator in in Senator U.S. a became he when

Schenkkan’s interest in history history in interest Schenkkan’s

of World War II. His influence grew grew influence His II. War World of

in 1973. in

in the Navy during the initial strikes strikes initial the during Navy the in

Johnson passed away in his hometown hometown his in away passed Johnson

years of American history. American of years six terms, only taking a break to serve serve to break a taking only terms, six

follows three families through 200 200 through families three follows Congressman for Texas. He served served He Texas. for Congressman entry into the . War. Vietnam the into entry

a 6-hour collection of plays that that plays of collection 6-hour a In 1937, Johnson became a U.S. U.S. a became Johnson 1937, In attached to the nation’s problematic problematic nation’s the to attached

The Kentucky Cycle Kentucky The , , with Drama for Johnson’s legacy remains closely closely remains legacy Johnson’s

nickname “Lady Bird” Johnson. Bird” “Lady nickname

Schenkkan won the Pulitzer Prize Prize Pulitzer the won Schenkkan Deal. Despite these accomplishments, accomplishments, these Despite Deal.

who was later known by the loving loving the by known later was who

social progress since Roosevelt’s New New Roosevelt’s since progress social worlds through playwriting. In 1992, 1992, In playwriting. through worlds

with and married Claudia Alta Taylor, Taylor, Alta Claudia married and with

Development. He enacted the most most the enacted He Development. his passion for creating original original creating for passion his

faced. While in Texas, he fell in love love in fell he Texas, in While faced.

the Department of Housing and Urban Urban and Housing of Department the He studied theater and discovered discovered and theater studied He

that his students of Mexican descent descent Mexican of students his that

presidential Cabinet. He established established He Cabinet. presidential

North Carolina and raised in Texas. Texas. in raised and Carolina North

witnessed firsthand the discrimination discrimination the firsthand witnessed

appointed to the Supreme Court and and Court Supreme the to appointed

Robert Schenkkan was born in in born was Schenkkan Robert

He became a school teacher and and teacher school a became He

first time, African Americans were were Americans African time, first

rural poverty of Stonewall, Texas. Texas. Stonewall, of poverty rural THAT OR RESIST THAT.” RESIST OR THAT

focusing on social programs. For the the For programs. social on focusing

born on August 27, 1908 into the the into 1908 27, August on born

than 200 major bills were passed passed were bills major 200 than

WAYS WE EITHER EMBRACE EMBRACE EITHER WE WAYS (LBJ) Johnson Baines Lyndon was was

AND INEVITABLE. THERE ARE ARE THERE INEVITABLE. AND

portray these leaders in All The Way. The All in leaders these portray “

(MLK) Wright Bowman and (LBJ) Willis Jack

FEEL THAT WAY, IS CONSTANT CONSTANT IS WAY, THAT FEEL

CHANGE, WHILE IT MAY NOT NOT MAY IT WHILE CHANGE,

“

ROBERT SCHENKKAN ROBERT

During Johnson’s presidency, more more presidency, Johnson’s During

“Great Society.” In many ways, he did. did. he ways, many In Society.” “Great

a landslide and set out to build his his build to out set and landslide a

Johnson won the 1964 election by by election 1964 the won Johnson

candidate . Goldwater. Barry candidate

election against conservative conservative against election

activate a heated 1964 presidential presidential 1964 heated a activate

resolutely opposed. This divide would would divide This opposed. resolutely

and southern Democrats remained remained Democrats southern and

PLAYWRIGHT

country. However, the Republicans Republicans the However, country. convinced of his ability to lead the the lead to ability his of convinced

PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE PRESIDENTIAL MEET THE THE MEET A CONGRESS OF CHARACTERS SOUTHERN BLOC JOHNSON’S INNER CIRCLE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS Senator (D-GA) Senator (D-MN) SCLC President RICHARD RUSSELL HUBERT HUMPHREY REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Johnson’s close friend Beloved liberal politician and Johnson’s SCLC Vice President future Vice President Senator (D-SC) REV. The President’s Aide SNCC Organizer and Activist Senator (D-MS) Political Advisor who Johnson Head of the SNCC thought of as family Representative (D-VA) HOWARD SMITH FBI Director J. EDGAR HOOVER SCLC Advisor Governor of Alabama GEROGE WALLACE Secretary of Defense ROBERT MCNAMARA NAACP Executuve Director Political Party -> (D-VA) <- State First Lady SCLC: Southern Christian Leadership Conference SNCC: Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee SNCC Activist and MFDP Vice Chair NAACP: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Politics is more than a 2-sided battle. Choose one character that had mixed feelings about the act or Johnson’s election (ex. Senator Everett Dirksen). Research the experiences, beliefs and political reasoning of your historical figure. Does your research justify the character’s decisions in the play? THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 First proposed by President Kennedy and signed into law by President Johnson, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is considered the most significant piece of U.S. civil rights legislation since Reconstruction after the Civil War. In his first State of the Union, Johnson said, “Let this session of Congress be known as the session which did more for civil rights than the last hundred sessions combined.”

Despite opposition from Republicans and southern Democrats, the bill passed the Senate 73-27. Here are some of the essential provisions of the act and states’ attempts to circumvent them:

VOTING RIGHTS EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY African-American voters had been actively blocked from These sections outlawed discrimination in employment voting through threats, laws and poll taxes. The new based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin for any act prohibited unequal application of voter registration business exceeding 25 people. The inclusion of women in requirements. Literacy tests were instituted by many states this clause was just as divisive as the demand for racial to negate the act, discouraging citizens with less access equality. to education from voting. Eventually, the Voting Act of 1965 and Oregon v. Mitchell banned these tests nationally. CREATION OF COMMISSIONS The Civil Rights Commission was reinstated and the Equal DESEGREGATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND FACILITIES Employment Opportunities Commission was created to These sections outlawed discrimination in public spaces or oversee the act’s implementation. Unfortunately, neither businesses. For example, there could no longer be separate group had the power to enforce their rulings. water fountains and people could not be denied service based on race. It also forwarded the desegregation of WITHDRAWAL OF FEDERAL FUNDS public schools. While the U.S. Attorney General had federal This section authorized the withdrawal of federal funds power to enforce these rules, a loophole was included that from discriminatory state programs, including schools. This exempted private clubs, like country clubs, from integrating. small section of the act posed a huge threat to civil rights The term “private” became loosely interpreted. opponents and was hotly contested.

HELPFUL HINTS FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE FOR THEATER AUDIENCES The conjures the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As an audience member at the theater, YOU are part delivering his “” speech at the 1963 on Washington. of the show! Just as you see and hear the actors onstage, they can see and hear you in the audience. The movement was more complicated. With so much at stake, debate over To help the performers do their best, please how to gain justice for African-Americans erupted within the movement. remember the following: · Arrive at least 15 minutes early. · Visit the restroom before the show starts. Dr. King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy believed in the power of non-violence. · Sit in the exact seat on your ticket. Ask the usher They formed the Montgomery Improvement Association in response to the for help finding it. · Before the show begins, turn off your phone, of 1955. This organization expanded and became watch alarms and any other electronic devices. If the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Several organizations anything rings by accident, turn it off immediately. · Do not use your phone for texts, calls, games or agreed with their non-violent philosophy, including the National Association pictures. for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). · You cannot take pictures or make recordings in the theater, even before o after the play. · There is no food allowed in the theater. However, a passionate younger generation demanded faster progress. · Do not talk, whisper, sing or hum, unless invited by the performers to do so. Student activists refused to sit by while politicians slandered their race · Keep your feet on the floor and off the seat in and bigots threatened them with violence. The Congress of Racial Equality front of you. (CORE) organized the Freedom Rides through the South. The Student · Avoid getting up during a show. If you must leave, wait for a scene change and exit quietly and Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and its chairman, Stokely quickly. Carmichael, encouraged its members to fight back. This increased militancy · Respond to the show; you can laugh, cry and gasp. However, don’t repeat lines out loud or talk and pride became the foundation of the movement, a term to the performers on stage. coined by Carmichael. · Be sure to applaud at the end!

However, a moment of unity came during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Since the South refused to allow voting African-American RESOURCES delegates, a new political party was formed. The Freedom The Dirksen Center http://goo.gl/LcfeUi Democratic Party (MFDP) united advocates from many civil rights organizations. They sent their own integrated delegation to the convention The Great Society by Robert Schenkkan and protested. The Idea Book: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 http://goo.gl/yBamzB Despite disagreement over the path to change, these activists understood The Kennedy Prize https://goo.gl/CivMwA the desperate need for this act and Johnson’s support. The Johnson Presidential Library http://www.Johnsonlibrary.org NPR: Stokely Carmichael, A philosopher… http://goo.gl/tJvYl1 PBS American Experience - Johnson http://goo.gl/XoTzBX Robert Schenkkan http://www.robertschenkkan.com

Members of the MFDP protest the 1964 Democratic Convention. Their signs feature portraits of the three recently murdered in Mississippi. Source: Library of Congress.

1101 Sixth Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 Phone: 202-554-9066 Fax: 202-488-4056 Written by Alex Turner What makes a What are the costs of What is the status of Edited by Rebecca Campana good President? fighting for justice? civil rights today? Visit www.arenastage.org for more information on Arena Stage productions and educational opportunities.