Unique production time travels through American history in a series of mini-plays
Just in time for the United States presidential election, SMµ÷½ĢĖł Boulderās gears up for a production of ā,ā a funny and poignant whirlwind trip through American history. The production, presented in collaboration with Boulderās own , runs Sept. 23 through Oct. 2 in the University Theatre.
"44 Plays for 44 Presidents," written by the , tells the story of the United States through a series of two-minute scenes dedicated to each American president. The actors on stage travel through our countryās dramatic ups and downs, from its idealistic beginnings under George Washington to the grim onset of the Civil War to the increasingly polarized politics of our time. Between scenes, short musical interludes set the historical tone.
āWe Americans are really interesting in that weāre very future-oriented people,ā says , a SMµ÷½ĢĖł Boulder lecturer and the founder of square product theatre. āA play like this affords you an opportunity to learn about how a government is shaped, and it also lets you see inside the presidentsā personal lives.ā
Perhaps the most exciting element of the show is what comes last: an opportunity for audiences to vote for the presidential candidate theyād like to see portrayed as the 45th president in the final two-minute scene.
āThe 18-to-24-year-old demographic is one that historically doesnāt turn out for the vote,ā Harrison says. āThis will be a fun practice round for young students who have never been able to vote before.ā
Harrison, who mounted ā44 Playsā at square product , says she learned so much more about history from this play than sheād ever learned in childhood classrooms.
āI had no idea Theodore Roosevelt accomplished so muchāitās pretty remarkable,ā she says. āAnd I never knew much about William Henry Harrison, but in his play we see the roots of racism and genocide, which a lot of people in this country donāt like to think about. History is not always pretty.ā
The play may be packed with historical facts, Harrison says, but itās far from preachy.
āYouāre learning in a way that doesnāt feel like youāre in a classroom,ā she says. āThis play is for anyone who wants to look more deeply at history; itās for anyone who just wants a mental break for a couple of hours; and itās for everyone else looking for a little bit of both.ā
Showtimes for ā44 Plays for 44 Presidentsā
Friday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 24 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2, 2 p.m.
Tickets for ā44 Plays for 44 Presidentsā start at $20 with student, senior and youth discounts available. To purchase tickets, visit the SMµ÷½ĢĖł Presents box office in person (972 Broadway) between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, call 303-492-8008 during box office hours, or. Note: All online and phone orders are subject to a service fee. For press tickets, interviews or more information, contact Jill Kimball at jill.kimball@colorado.edu.
Coming up later in SMµ÷½ĢĖł-Boulderās 2016-17 Theatre & Dance season is the classic commedia dellāarte tale āThe Servant of Two Masters,ā an all-female production of āTwelfth Nightā directed by Lisa Wolpe, the world premiere of āUnspokenā by Kevin Crowe, and two popular musicals, āThe Rocky Horror Showā and āPeter and the Starcatcher.ā .
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