Published: Aug. 23, 2016 By

Unique production time travels through American history in a series of mini-plays


Just in time for the United States presidential election, Ā鶹Ćā·Ń°ęĻĀŌŲBoulderā€™s gears up for a production of ā€œ,ā€ a funny and poignant whirlwind trip through American history. The production, presented in collaboration with Boulderā€™s 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 countryā€™s 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.

ā€œWe Americans are really interesting in that weā€™re very future-oriented people,ā€ says , a Ā鶹Ćā·Ń°ęĻĀŌŲBoulder lecturer and the founder of square product theatre. ā€œA 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 theyā€™d like to see portrayed as the 45th president in the final two-minute scene.

ā€œThe 18-to-24-year-old demographic is one that historically doesnā€™t turn out for the vote,ā€ Harrison says. ā€œThis will be a fun practice round for young students who have never been able to vote before.ā€

Harrison, who mounted ā€œ44 Playsā€ at square product , says she learned so much more about history from this play than sheā€™d ever learned in childhood classrooms.

ā€œI had no idea Theodore Roosevelt accomplished so muchā€”itā€™s pretty remarkable,ā€ she says. ā€œAnd 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 donā€™t like to think about. History is not always pretty.ā€

The play may be packed with historical facts, Harrison says, but itā€™s far from preachy.

ā€œYouā€™re learning in a way that doesnā€™t feel like youā€™re in a classroom,ā€ she says. ā€œThis play is for anyone who wants to look more deeply at history; itā€™s for anyone who just wants a mental break for a couple of hours; and itā€™s for everyone else looking for a little bit of both.ā€

Showtimes for ā€œ44 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 ā€œ44 Plays for 44 Presidentsā€ start at $20 with student, senior and youth discounts available. To purchase tickets, visit the Ā鶹Ćā·Ń°ęĻĀŌŲPresents 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 CU-Boulderā€™s 2016-17 Theatre & Dance season is the classic commedia dellā€™arte tale ā€œThe Servant of Two Masters,ā€ an all-female production of ā€œTwelfth Nightā€ directed by Lisa Wolpe, the world premiere of ā€œUnspokenā€ by Kevin Crowe, and two popular musicals, ā€œThe Rocky Horror Showā€ and ā€œPeter and the Starcatcher.ā€ .

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