‘Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!’ to star Truman grandson on Key West stage
Actor Clifton Truman Daniel is pictured portraying his grandfather, 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in a previous staging of the acclaimed stage production, “Give ‘Em Hell Harry,” at the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West. This year’s performances are set for Sunday, Feb. 18, and Monday, Feb. 19. (Photo: Carol Tedesco)
The acclaimed, long running stage production ‘Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!’ is set to return to Key West for two performances, Sunday, Feb. 18, and Monday, Feb. 19, where they will be staged beginning at 4:30pm on the grounds of the Key West Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street.
A dynamic one-man-show that celebrates the unique persona and presidency of 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman, ‘Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!’ was written by Samuel Gallu and made its debut in 1975 at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre. What makes this particular production of ‘Give ‘Em Hell Harry!’ especially notable is that it stars President Truman’s own grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, and will be staged on the same property where President Truman spent 11 working vacations from 1945-53.
Truman Daniel, a professional actor with more than a dozen stage and TV credits, has starred in the production since 2017, but only performed it in Key West for the first time in 2022, with shows that year and in 2023 quickly selling out.
When asked how it feels to perform ‘Give ‘Em Hell Harry!’ on the grounds where his grandfather once walked, Truman Daniel responded, ‘It’s great to be able to step into his shoes—to dress as him and do the show in the place where he spent 175 days living and working during his presidency.’ He also commented that it’s the most fun he’s had performing the show. ‘It’s Key West; it’s outside on the grounds of the Little White House. People are in a good mood, the bar is open, planes are flying overhead, and chickens are walking back in forth in front of the stage.’
‘Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!’ is one of multiple 2024 “Presidential Families Weekend” events set to take place on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House from February 15-19.
The mission of the not-for-profit Harry S. Truman Foundation is to preserve Florida’s only presidential museum—the Harry S. Truman Little White House—and to provide programming that supports civic engagement, education, and the historical and cultural influences of the Truman era. “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” events are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For event tickets and information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.
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