A life destined for stage

Country music superstar Larry Gatlin brings Will Rogers to lifein “The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue,” comingto the Dallas Summer Musicals this month.

“Follies” follows Rogers’ entertaining life ofhow he met his wife, became a traveling showman, a movie star, anewspaper columnist and eventually a presidential candidate.

Rogers was revered for his “common sense” approachto life, and songs like “I Never Met A Man I Didn’tLike” and “Give A Man Enough Rope” highlight theshow.

Gatlin recently became the artist/composer in residence forDallas Summer Musicals and received acclaim from The New York Postfor his role as Rogers on Broadway.

Gatlin was last seen in Dallas as a Confederate general in “TheCivil War, the Musical,” two seasons ago.

Gatlin alsohas a Grammy and numerous No. 1 hit records to hiscredit and has written several musicals that the Dallas series willhave the opportunity to produce now that he enters his new rolewith Dallas Summer Musicals.

Rogers’ wife, Jane Bodle plays Betty Blake, Jay Jackson, astudent of the Dallas Summer Musical Theater, portrays the role ofyoung Will Rogers.

With rope tricks and dancing showgirls, “Follies” isnot your typical Broadway musical.

The show’s namesake was famous for saying “I nevermet a man I didn’t like,” and it will be hard to find aman, woman or child that can’t say the same about”Follies.”

The show will run at the Fair Park Music Hall from July 8– 20.

Tickets are available through TicketMaster or by calling (214)631-ARTS.