“Presidents and Their First Ladies, Dramatically Speaking” is proud to be celebrating its 15th year of touring the nation. It is the creation of the veteran acting and writing team of husband and wife, William and Sue Wills. After 20 years of operating their own theatrical company in the resort of Ocean City, MD, the couple has been bringing to life the stories of 32 different Presidential couples. Over the past 32 years, they have appeared together on stage professionally over 8,000 times....and counting !! Mr. and Mrs. Wills have performed at 8 of the nation’s Presidential Museum and Historic Sites; had two programs featured on C-Span television’s “American Presidents Series”; and have appeared on Celebrity and Princess Cruise ships. They are a true working team with William researching and creating the scripts while Sue edits his work and creates the costumes, many of her own design. One patron observed that Congress should declare them “a living national monument !”.With their “Presidents and First Ladies” program, William and Sue hope that by presenting the personal side of our first couples, they will become more than just names read about in history books .It is with pride that they present to us the story of our 33rd President and First Lady--Harry and Bess Truman.
This is one of the great love stories in Presidential history, as from the age of six Harry loved only one person - Bess. Harry's string of early business failures certainly could not have foretold his rise to the Presidency. In the background working as a loving partner all along the way was "The Boss", Bess. Humor, rocky times, human frailties, and enduring affection combine to make this an endearing tale.
The marriage of Harry and Bess Truman is one of the great love stories in Presidential history. From the age of six, Harry loved only one woman – Bess. Their time together in the White House exemplifies how much they loved each other. Bess, who was fondly known as “The Boss,” proved to be a loving and dedicated partner throughout her husband’s business ventures and political career. With the motto “The Buck Stops Here” as his guiding principle and his wife by his side, Harry courageously faced momentous challenges and history-making decisions: taking over the presidency when Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office, ordering an atomic bomb dropped on Japan, and sending troops to liberate the South Koreans from the Communist forces of North Korea.
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This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs
