SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock University theater department presents eight performances of the comedic rock musical “Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson” Friday through March 7 in the University Union.

The show reimagines America’s seventh president, nicknamed “Old Hickory,” as a rock star in black jeans, boots and white Henley T-shirt.

“Basically, it takes you from Jackson’s early beginnings in Tennessee through his adventures as a military commander, his presidency and death,” said David Skeele, SRU professor of theater and the show’s director, in a press release.

“It uses the historical facts of his life and presidency as a frame for the story. There are wild tonal shifts from silly comedy to some scenes that are quite moving, and it is presented with some really great rock music.”

The play includes portrayals of other well-known 19th century Americans such as Henry Clay, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun.

Gordon Phetteplace, associate professor of theater and department chairman, designed the set, which includes a hang drop of a huge U.S. map as it looked in the 1820s.

Rebecca Morrice, assistant professor of theater, is costume designer. Michael Boone, theater department technical director, set up the technology.

The cast includes:

Zach Frye of Beaver Falls as Andrew Jackson;

Carina Iannarelli of Canonsburg as Rachel Jackson;

Karter Schachner of Saxonburg as the bandleader;

Ethan Rochow of West Middlesex as John C. Calhoun;

Ryan Lubin of Bethel Park as Henry Clay;

Joe Karl of Moon Township as James Monroe;

Daniel Strait of Huntingdon as Martin Van Buren;

Tyler Smith of McDonald as John Quincy Adams;

Sarah Tapparo of Beaver as the storyteller;

Ernest Rose of New York City as Black Fox;

Malic Williams of Aliquippa as Lyncoya; and

Kayleigh Walsh of Beaver Falls as the “10 Little Indian” soloist.

The cast ensemble includes:

Meg Rodgers of Bruin, Joey Streiff of Allison Park, Emily Watson of Virginia Beach, Va., Johnna Cwik of Johnstown, Camara Rhodes of Beallsville, and Chelsea Watts of Murrysville.

Fulfilling other theater jobs are:

Danielle DePalma of Plum, production stage manager and assistant lighting designer;

Margaret Rial of Erie and Kyle Wiltraut of Hershey, assistant stage managers;

Alex Barnhart of Butler, sound designer and assistant to the technical director.

Zach Durler of Cranberry Township, lighting designer;

Samantha Kuchta of Lower Burrell, properties mistress;

Malic Williams of Aliquippa, public relations coordinator.

The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday and will be performed at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday through March 7. There is no performance Saturday.

Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for the public. The show has been deemed inappropriate for children. Tickets are available at the Smith Student Center information desk or at the door.

For information, call the box office at 724-738-2645.