Many great ‘American’ success stories began in Canada. Take Star Trek, for example: William Shatner (Capt. Kirk) was born there, and Star Trek first aired on television in Canada before it came south of the border. That was in September 1966, and Star Trek is still on the air as the biggest franchise in the history of Hollywood. Another great ‘American’ success was none other than Fred Rogers. His first TV show, which ran from 1963-1967, was Misterrogers on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In those days there was really only one national TV network in Canada, so nearly everyone saw him. It was only in 1968 that he returned to his native Pennsylvania to begin the Mister Rogers TV show, which ran for 33 years.
This iconic TV host is the subject of a heart-warming play at the Penfold Theatre’s new venue in Round Rock. It is, in fact, the first production there.
Titled I’m Proud of You, it made its world premiere in Fort Worth in September 2023, 20 years after the death of Fred Rogers. Adapted from a 2006 book of the same name, it was written by Tim Madigan, a reporter for the Fort Worth newspaper, the Star Telegram. “I met Fred Rogers in the fall of 1995 through a newspaper assignment,” writes Madigan. “He befriended me then, loved and mentored me through a period of deep depression, then bore witness to the remarkable transformation of my brother Steve during Steve’s journey with lung cancer. You know him, at least if you are of a certain age, as Mister Rogers, the icon of children’s television, America’s secular saint, loving and gentle, wise and compassionate. I knew him as my friend, Fred… I considered him to be one of my closest friends. In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say that if it were not for Fred Rogers, I might not be around today, alive to tell you my story.”
With all the death and mayhem on television, Mister Rogers was an island of solace. He offered up a ray of hope surrounded by all that. His familiar red sweater signalled a safe haven for the children his show was geared to. In essence, he provided stability and routine in a chaotic children’s world. And even as adults, his teachings carried through.
Dr. Rick Roemer plays Mister Rogers in this production, an example of perfect casting. Professionally, he was the Chair/Artistic Director of the theatre department at Southwestern University for 15 years, and now teaches at The Actor’s School and St. Edwards University here in Austin. Madigan is portrayed here by another pro: by Nathan Jerkins, Co-Artistic Director of Penfold Theatre Company. They are both ideally placed to deliver the message of this play. What that message is will become a very personal one for each member of the audience. For some it will certainly invoke a state of grace. For others, talk of the “loving mystery at the heart of the universe” might invoke memories of the Scottish Quaker Annie MacPherson, who sent poor and orphaned children from Scotland to Canada for a better life in the 1870s.
That the origins of inspiration for Mister Rogers come from the Old country is not disguised here. More than once we hear the Scottish Gaelic “anam cara,” which means soul friend. That is what Madigan became to Mister Rogers, and vice versa. So as we approach Samhain, the Scottish New Year on November 1, attending this refreshing play is a perfect way to brush up on your Scottish roots, or the ones you wish you had.
The cast is rounded out by Zac Carr and Jill Klopp Turner, who play multiple supporting roles.
Image by Steve Rogers Photography: Jerkins (l) and Roemer.
Review written by the Scottish fellow, Cliff Cunningham