Bully (alternatively titled Bully: The Musical) is a 2017 musical featurette written and directed by Aaron Alon and produced by Thunderclap Productions. Bully is a dramatic musical about Sam Bradley, a young man who kills himself after being repeatedly bullied in school because others suspect he is gay. The story follows Sam in the days leading up to his death and the lives of those around him in the days following his suicide.
Bully premiered in the United States on September 24, 2017, at Alamo Drafthouse – Mason Park in Houston, Texas. The film had its film festival premiere in the 2018 Rainier Independent Film Festival in Ashford, Washington, on May 20, 2018.
Synopsis
The film tells the story of Sam Bradley, a young man who commits suicide after being bullied in school.
Cast
Edward Henrickson as Sam Bradley, a 14-year-old being bullied in school
Danica Dawn Johnson as Mrs. Bradley, Sam's mother
Brad Goertz as Mr. Bradley, Sam's father
Kiefer Slaton as Tommy Samson, a bully at Sam's school with an abusive father
Chelsea Lerner as Mrs. Samson, Tommy's mother
Steve Hale as Mr. Samson, Tommy's abusive father
Reggie Choyce as Hunter Sikes, a bully at Sam's school whose parents are prone to violence toward one another Monica Davis as Mrs. Sikes, Hunter's mother Juan Sebastian Cruz as Chase Cruz, a bully at Sam's school whose mother suffers from an addiction to pain pills Amanda Passanante as Mrs. Cruz, Chase's mother M.E. Frazier Jr. as Mr. Ross, the school guidance counselor at Sam's high school Nora Hahn as Principal Rutledge, the principal at Sam's high school Tamara Siler as the First Mourner, the person who starts the vigil for Sam Emma Hayden, Ragan Richardson, Michael J. Ross, and Taelon Stonecipher as the quartet in "It Gets Better," four people filming their "It Gets Better" stories in response to Sam's suicide
Songs
"When" – performed by Danica Dawn Johnston and Brad Goertz (as Mrs. and Mr. Bradley); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "The Bullies' Song" – performed by Reggie Choyce, Kiefer Slaton, and Juan Sebastian Cruz (as Hunter, Tommy, and Chase); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Hunter's Song" – performed by Reggie Choyce (as Hunter); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Start Raising Men" – performed by Steve Hale (as Mr. Samson); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "It Gets Better" – performed by Emma Hayden, Ragan Richardson, Michael J. Ross, and Taelon Stonecipher (as themselves); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Hollow House" – performed by Julian A. Puerto; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "He's a Child" – performed by Monica Davis and Amanda Passanante (as Mrs. Sikes and Mrs. Cruz); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Who's Next" – performed by M.E. Frazier Jr. (as Mr. Ross) with Tristan Smith on jazz guitar; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "The Bullies' Song - Reprise" – performed by Reggie Choyce, Kiefer Slaton, and Juan Sebastian Cruz (as Hunter, Tommy, and Chase); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Raise Your Voice" – performed by Tamara Siler and company (as themselves); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Was" – performed by Danica Dawn Johnston (as Mrs. Bradley); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "The More It Bleeds" – performed by Patrick Barton, Amy Garner Buchanan, William Sanders, Karen Schlag, Haley Simpson, and company (as themselves); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon "Did He Think" – performed by Brad Goertz (as Mr. Bradley); lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
Release
Bully premiered in the United States on September 24, 2017, at Alamo Drafthouse – Mason Park in Houston. The second screening occurred April 10, 2018, at the University of Houston. The film had its film festival premiere in the 2018 Rainier Independent Film Festival in Ashford, Washington on May 20, 2018.
Official selections
Bully has been selected for screening at the following festivals and events:
