Jet City Improv's Election Show Returns to Make Elections Fun Again

Jet City Improv proudly presents the return of its critically-acclaimed original comedy ELECTION SHOW for a five-week engagement leading up to this year's presidential election.

The 2016 edition of this long-running satire gives audiences a much-needed break from coverage of the real presidential election with the return of the show's traditional non-partisan approach: at ELECTION SHOW, no real politicians or political issues (not even a giant border wall) are allowed.

Instead, every night's skewering of the political process comes with the chance for audiences to create the platforms of completely fictional candidates - in either the Whig or Bull Moose party - before pitting them against each other in a series of town hall debates, cutthroat pundit roundtables, and outrageous attack ads. The candidate that manages to survive their scandal, select the right running mate from the audience, and secure the most votes at the end of the show is elected President of the United States with a mandate to follow through on the promises that put them in the White House.

"Election Show is all about taking absurd platforms from the audience and debating them very seriously," says co-creatorJohn Boyle. "For example, in 2008 we had a candidate that ran on the promise of building a second sun only over the United States so it's always sunny in America. But when you think about it, building a giant wall along the southern border of the United States is pretty close to being that level of satire already."

"A lot of people have said to us this year 'oh, the candidates are giving you a lot of great material," says co-creatorDouglas Willott. "But for us, the question is 'what do we make fun of now?' They're doing our show. We have to find a way to satirize the people who stole our material."

"This year, they deserve it more than ever" adds Boyle.

The only reference to real-world politics at ELECTION SHOW comes with the hope of encouraging voter registration and turnout in this year's election: audience members that bring their voter registration card to the show can receive one free popcorn at the concessions stand.

Since its debut 2004, ELECTION SHOW has been selected to comedy festivals in Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Toronto, Miami, Phoenix, as well as local appearances at Bumbershoot and the Seattle Festival of Improv Theater.

The cast features improvisers from the Jet City Improv ensemble and beyond: Phill Arensberg, John Boyle, Jeremy Brown, Mike Christensen, Kristina Corbitt, Sean Patella-Buckley, Jen Rizor, Ian Schempp, Stephani Thompson, and Douglas Willott. ELECTION SHOW was created and directed by John Boyle and Douglas Willott .

Performances are Thursday and Friday nights at 8pm from Oct 6 through Nov 4 with a special opening night gala on Oct 6 featuring a Q&A with the actors followed by complimentary cake and champagne. ELECTION SHOW will also host a special election night event on Nov 8 at 8pm. Advance tickets to all performances are $15 for general admission ($18 at the door), $12 for students, seniors, military personnel, and TPS members ($15 at the door), and $10 on Thursdays ($15-$18 at the door). The show will not contain any obscene language and only occasional references to adult themes.

ABOUT JET CITY IMPROV

Jet City Improv is now in its 25th anniversary season and is dedicated to enlightening, educating, and entertaining audiences through the art of improvisation. Over the course of any given month, shows include new unscripted plays in the Jet City Improv Presents series, an original comedy series known as JCI Late Night, the flagship Jet City Improv show, and the popular re-dubbed film events known as Twisted Flicks. Jet City Improv also works to fulfill its mission with a 40-week improv training curriculum known as the Jet City Improv Academy as well as outreach work that provides free performances and workshops to homeless and incarcerated youth in Seattle and physically ill children around the state of Washington. All Jet City Improv productions, classes and outreach programs operate out of a bright yellow theater in Seattle's University District and are produced by Wing-It Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

ABOUT JET CITY IMPROV PRESENTS

Election Show is a part of Jet City Improv Presents, an ongoing series of new ensemble works that present improvised stories complete with sets, costumes, and props like a traditional scripted performance. Despite a more polished appearance, the art and spirit of improvisation still lie at the heart of each performance and every story is created based on unique suggestions and input provided by the audience.

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