43 update

So, the run continues - and one of the great things about the show is how each day events change the context of it.

There's a pig in it for no actual reason (except that it makes me laugh), but when the whole scandal of "did Obama call Palin a pig with lipstick" - suddenly it got huge laughs. Now when Wilson says "I created the system that regulates our banks", the audience boos - so Nick added in "I tried", which is a huge laugh line now. Crazy.

And for those of you that know Ted Rosky (former board member), you'll love this review that quotes him.

“One of the most amusing parts of the evening occurred during intermission. A gentleman seated several rows down from me stood up and announced (as was written in the program) that the 43rd skit was to be followed by a 44th, determined by the audience. Based on the volume of our applause, we were going to elect to see either a skit about Barack Obama as our next President or one with John McCain in the role. "In all the times this play has been performed," the gentleman said, "the audience vote has always been for Obama. But tonight, the author of the other skit is in the audience, so let's get to see it for a change by giving a rousing round of applause for that son-of-a-bitch McCain!" [As I understand it, playwright Andrew Bayiates was indeed in the audience, but it was his wife who had actually penned the McCain skit.] As it happened, the majority could not in good conscience vote for McCain no matter what the circumstances, so we saw the Obama skit. It consisted of Obama (Cassie Beck) jumping rope while two other actors turned the rope and recited rhymes about Obama's life and about the challenges facing him. They turned faster and faster, first one rope and then two ropes turning in opposite directions which Beck was required to jump Double Dutch style. And the President was thoroughly up to the task.”

Ted

for anyone in the atlanta area

IN THE WORKS READING: Bellwether
Location: Actor's Express
Join us for the first IN THE WORKS reading of the 2008-09 Season!

Bellwether
by Steve Yockey
directed by Sean Daniels, Associate Artistic Director, Actors Theatre of Louisville

Monday, Oct. 6 @ 7:30pm
Actor's Express Theatre
Tickets: $5.00

The disappearance of 6-year old Amy Draft shocks the modern, affluent suburb of Inverness. And as questions go unanswered, initially sympathetic neighbors begin to whisper suspiciously about the girl's distraught parents, Alan and Jackie. When the abduction abruptly leaps in magnitude, the entire community unravels into a seething mass of confusion and media frenzy.

Featuring:
Kate Donadio
Maia Knispel
Park Krausen
Jonathan MacQueen
Daniel May
Stacy Melich
Meghan Moonan
Joe Sykes
Kathleen Wattis
Rachel Winograd

Dramaturg:
Megan Monaghan

43 Pres Video

Some video of the show

First Review

Parade Of Presidents has lessons and laughs

Staff Pick in today's Leo

43 Plays for 43 Presidents’

In its season follow-up to “Glengarry Glen Ross,” Actors Theatre jumps on the political bandwagon, but on a much lighter, satirical note. “43 Plays for 43 Presidents” is just that — 43 two-minute skits on each American president, from George W. to George Dubya — by a five-member cast that includes Gregory and Abigail Bailey Maupin, who you may know from the Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble. As a bonus, each night the audience votes on President No. 44, and a prepared Obama or McCain skit follows, based on popular vote, of course.

Director Sean Daniels says the skits have a wide range — from a musical to a puppet show to complete silence (James Polk?). “It’s a funny, satirical take on American history, up to the present,” he says. “Basically the audience takes a look at the past, and then gets a chance to figure out the next step.” Put on the spot, Daniels admits he has a sweet spot for Jimmy Carter. “When I directed this play in Atlanta, we actually got Carter to come to a performance,” he says. “Instead of hiding out in a ‘safe room’ we made in the back, he stayed during intermission and shook everyone’s hands.” —Sara Havens

Sean last night a 60+ woman banged her cane and repeadetly yelled "yes we can" during the Obama piece. kinda awesome.

More pics from tech - Joe McCarthy, Osama, and some actual humans also

technottech begins

the poster