Political Satire THIS IS THE WEEK THAT IS Comes to Plays & Players Theatre

American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards* (Philadelphia, PA) 1812 Productions is pleased to present its annual political comedy, and a Philadelphia favorite, This Is The Week That Is. A staple of the Philadelphia theatre season for the past 13 years, This Is The Week That Is brings to the stage sharp satire and content that changes with the headlines. This Is The Week That Is opens Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, in Center City. Preview performances begin Friday, November 23rd. The production has been extended and will play through Saturday, January 5th, 2019. Tickets and information are available at www.1812productions.org or at 215-592-9560.

Featuring a script that changes nightly, improvised comedy, musical parodies, and a versatile cast of comedy pros, This Is The Week That Is continues its mission to, "Tell the truth and make it funny." This sage direction was given to the show's creator Jennifer Childs by comedy legend Mort Sahl before the first iteration of This Is The Week That Is in 2006. "This Is The Week That Is gives us an opportunity to respond to our community and to the events of the world in a really direct and open way," Childs says. "Every year, we start with the question of what it feels like to be an American right now-what's on peoples' minds, what's in the zeitgeist-and we invite the audience in to share in that experience. The release through laughter that comes with that sharing is absolutely priceless. There's nothing else like it."

This year, the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, has recognized the uniqueness and longevity of This Is The Week That Is by commissioning 1812 Productions to create a documentary about the show's history and creative process. Childs says, "It's been a remarkable exercise at this moment in history to look back while also looking forward. I am so grateful to the many people who have worked on this show over the years and helped make it the institution it is." Capture, a Philadelphia-based video production firm, has shadowed the This Is The Week That Is creative team throughout the rehearsal process and will continue to document the production through its final performance. The completed documentary will premiere at American Theatre Wing early in 2019 and will join their digital archive as a part of their Emmy-nominated 'Working in the Field' series.

This Is The Week That Is features returning writer/performers Sean Close, Dave Jadico, Justin Jain, and Rob Tucker, who also serves as Music Director. The production welcomes Philadelphia artist Tanaquil Márquez in her 1812 Productions debut. Márquez is a co-founder of Philadelphia's only bilingual theatre company, La Fábrica. Jennifer Childs completes the cast and returns to the director's chair along with collaborator Dan O'Neil. The This Is The Week That Is production team includes Don Montrey who returns as the show's head news writer. 1812 veterans Lance Kniskern (scenic design) and Jorge Cousineau (video design) also return with Jillian Keys (costume design) and Paul Moffit (lighting design).

This Is The Week That Is will host a Spanish-captioned performance on Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30pm. 1812 Productions is honored to welcome back Fernando Mendez who will translate the working script. Mendez will also join the cast onstage for live translation of improvised and up-to-date material. Mendez is a board member of Congreso de Latinos Unidos and host of the political program El Ritmo de La Comunidad on El Zol Philly.

This Is The Week That Is plays from November 23rd, 2018 thru January 5th, 2019 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, in Center City, Philadelphia. Opening Night will be Wednesday, November 28th at 7:00pm. Tickets range from $28-$50 and are available at 215-592-9560 or at www.1812productions.org.

This Is The Week That Is is part of The June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation Series. This Is The Week That Is welcomes honorary producer, and longtime 1812 Productions supporter, Terry Graboyes. This Is The Week That Is also welcomes its corporate sponsor The Kelly Group at Elfant Wissahickon Realtors.