Plays & Players Presents THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY: A THEATRICAL RESPONSE, Now thru 11/18

It's hard to shock theatergoers these days unless you bring in politics. Plays & Players opens its new season with The American Presidency: A Theatrical Response, a play festival of, by and for the 2012 presidential election. Combining elements of commentary, critique, parody and direct response, The American Presidency, presents more theatrical experiences than we have political parties.

A direct response to the presidential decision, 24 Hours Later: A Presidential Survival Guide presents an immediate reaction to the night of November 6, 2012 and the decisions made by a nation. Kicking off just before the polls close on November 6th, three original plays will be created in the wake of the presidential decision, written by the three playwrights and starring actors from the 2012-13 Emerging Artists-in-Residence Program at Plays & Players, as well as other local talent. The playwrights will face several challenges as the night goes on with live voting and other feedback from the electorate, providing a unique opportunity for audience participation in the creative process. After working through the night, the plays will be produced by a full team of designers, directors and actors for two performances at 7 and 9 pm tonight, November 7th.

As soon as the presidential decision has time to sink in, Plays & Players takes a look back on November 10th at 8pm at the political history of our country with Voices of a People's History of the United States. Created to showcase and celebrate the voices left out of history books, Voices of a People's History of the United States is the companion piece to Zinn's seminal work, A People's History of the United States. Voices brings to life the extraordinary history of ordinary people who built the movements that made the United States what it is today, ending slavery and Jim Crow, protesting war and genocide, advancing gay and women's rights, and struggling to right wrongs of the day. After performances in Norristown and Camden, this Philadelphia premiere performance will feature former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl starting quarterback Michael J. Boryla and internationally renowned blues artist, Guy Davis, son of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, and many others.

In direct contrast to Zinn's radical look at government, Forearmed Productions' Republican Theater Festival, running November 12-14 at 7pm, gives voice to an often silent theatrical presence. Labeled as the "country's (the world's, actually) first ever republican theater festival," by Philly Magazine writer, Victor Fiorillo, the festival has already generated national discussion and controversy. Not created to be a pro-republican rally, but rather a theatrical insight into the political differences of our country, Cara Blouin, the festival's creator, believes "it should be an antidote for polarization," rather than belittling or attacking one side or the other. The festival will feature ten plays from playwrights across the country that cover a range of topics from free speech and the Occupy Movement, to political differences within families and a conservative perspective on the American Dream, and ultimately addresses what it means to be republican in today's America.

Ending The American Presidency on a lighter note, Plays & Players presents its newest edition of the ever-popular comedy show Superheroes who are Super! This current showcase, Presidents Who Kick A$$, features three election-related stories brought to life with props, sound effects and a great mix of comedy and love for the material. This time on Superheroes: Superman needs President John F. Kennedy's help to protect his secret identity; the first teenage president, Prez Rickards, weathers corruption and environmental disasters on campaign trail; and Spider-Man teams up with Barack Obama to take on super-villains and the presidency. Running November 15-18 at 8pm, like all productions of Superheroes, this promises to be an evening of homegrown fun and excitement.

All performances take place at Plays & Players Theatre, at 1714 Delancey Place.

24 Hours Later: A Presidential Survival Guide - November 7, 7pm and 9pm, third floor Skinner Studio
Voices of the People's History of the United States - November 10, 8pm, main stage
Republican Theater Festival - November 12-14, 7pm, third floor Skinner Studio
Superheroes who are Super! - November 15-18, 8pm, third floor Skinner Studio

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. *Tickets to Voices of a People's History are $30 ($50 for the performance and post-show meet the artist reception with Michael J. Boryla, Guy Davis, and the full cast.) Tickets may be purchased online at www.playsandplayers.org or by phone at 800-595-4849.

Plays & Players was reborn in 2009 as a professional theater under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Daniel Student. Returning to its roots, Plays & Players seeks to invest in the talents of local emerging theater artists by providing a gathering place for practitioners to contribute to professional productions, expand their artistry through training, and connect and collaborate at the historic Plays & Players Theatre. The 2012- 13 Season is dedicated to The American Presidency. Voices of a People's History will be presented as part of a series of events in An American Presidency: A Theatrical Response, running November 7-18. The season will continue with the Philadelphia Premiere production of Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle winning Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, a high-octane political rock and roll musical, running January 17-February 3. It will culminate with The America Play and Other American Cousins, pairing Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan Lori-Parks' seminal work about an African-American man who looks just like Abraham Lincoln with World Premiere short plays named for the play Lincoln was watching when he was assassinated, running April 4-21. For more information, visit www.playsandplayers.org.

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