The Scopes Monkey Trial

McCarthyism

Watergate

World War I

Reconstruction

Southern Heritage And Tradition

These are just some of the topics explored in the play Senator Sam (written by Steve Bouser). This one-man play starring professional actor, Gary Lee Smith examines the life of North Carolina’s most famous country lawyer, Sam Ervin, Jr.

The play takes place on the back porch of the Senator’s home in Morganton, NC the night of the Nixon resignation.  As he waits with mixed emotions for President Nixon’s television address, Sam takes the opportunity to discuss his life.  From growing up in the mountains, fighting in World War I, meeting his beloved wife, the childhood accident that later resulted in family tragedy and thrust him into public service to his fights against the monkey bill,  Joseph McCarthy,

Robert Kennedy and various witnesses in the Watergate hearings. The play is filled with personal insight, political confrontation and, of course, the home spun mountain humor Sam Ervin was famous for.

                    The play is approximately 90 minutes in length including intermission.

For Theatres, Universities and Colleges:  The show can be a part of a theatre's regular season or adapted for performance on most existing sets and even a bare stage so it’s perfect for a special performance, event, fund raiser.

For other venues:  The show is extremely versatile.  Even if you don't have a stage, lighting system or sound system, the staging of Sam can be adapted to any size lecture hall, conference room or meeting space.

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Script Excerpts