SEPTEMBER 6 – OCTOBER 19, 2019
FIVE PRESIDENTS
CHICAGO PREMIERE – JOSEPH JEFFERSON AWARD RECOMMENDED
Recommended by Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times,
Chicago Reader, Newcity Chicago, Windy City Times, and many more.
Written by: Rick Cleveland*
Directed by: Marty Higginbotham*
There was only one day in history when all five of these U.S. Presidents were in the same room at the same time: the holding room prior to entering the memorial service for President Richard Nixon. This is a once-in-a-life occurrence as imagined by “The West Wing” and “House of Cards” writer Rick Cleveland. To learn more, read our Artistic Director’s note and Backstage Guide.
PERFORMANCE INFO
September 6 – October 19, 2019
(773) 654-3103 box office & for groups 6+
- Thursday: 7:30pm
- Friday: 7:30pm
- Saturday: 3:00pm & 7:30pm
- Sunday: 2:30pm
Additional shows on 10/14 @ 7:30pm; 10/17 @ 2:30pm.
No shows on 9/7 & 9/14 @ 3pm; nor 10/19 @ 7:30pm
- Duration: 90 minutes; no intermission
- Location: Stage 773 at 1225 W Belmont Ave
- Ticket price: $19-$39
- Recommended for ages 13+ | PG-13
- Blues Views: we offer free post-show discussions on Sunday
REVIEWS
“Cleveland is an important American writer. If you like ‘The West Wing’, you’ll have a good time. 80 entertaining minutes!” – Chicago Tribune
“Recommended – fine cast!” – Chicago Sun-Times
“Superbly staged” – Chicago Theater Reviews
“Remarkable, humorous, and honest play.” – Chicago on Stage
“Fascinating! Takes the pulse of history” – Stage & Cinema
“Cleveland’s dialogue – vocabulary, phrasing and rhythm is exactly on target for each president.” – Windy City Times
“A-list Ensemble” – Chicago Reader
“Every wisecrack at morality in the White House is salt in [the] wound.” – Newcity Chicago
“Skillful interpretations…thoughtful, nuanced, and satisfying.” – PicksInSix
“Brilliant playwright – a success!” – Let’s Play at Chicago Now
“Five stars (out of 5). Cast to perfection!” – Around the Town Chicago
“Clever” – Splash Magazine
“Sincere humanity.” – Chicago Theatre Review
“Best plays in Chicago” – Picture this Post
ARTISTS
CAST (in alphabetical order): John Carter Brown (George H.W. Bush), James Leaming* (Ronald Reagan), Martin L’Herault (Jimmy Carter), Tom McElroy (Gerald Ford), Stephen Spencer (Bill Clinton), and Denzel Tsopnang* (Agent Kirby).
PRODUCTION TEAM: Rick Cleveland (playwright), Marty Higginbotham* (director), Grant Sabin* (scenic), Alexander Ridgers* (lighting), Michael Alan Stein (costumes), Warren Levon* (sound), Mary O’Dowd (props), and Shandee Vaughan* (production & stage manager).
*American Blues Theater Ensemble and Artistic Affiliates
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We raise awareness of other non-profit organizations’ great causes through creative collaborations. We’re proud to partner with Northwestern University’s The Family Institute, Chicago Public Schools, and Chicago Votes. We continue to donate proceeds of “Pediatric Previews” to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
MORE INFORMATION ON FIVE PRESIDENTS
Rave Reviews for FIVE PRESIDENTS
Read the incredible critical response to our Chicago premiere of FIVE PRESIDENTS.
About the FIVE PRESIDENTS Artists
Read the cast and creative team’s biographies for FIVE PRESIDENTS.
Backstage Guide for FIVE PRESIDENTS
Inside look at FIVE PRESIDENTS – read interviews, see designs, & learn more about the production.
Read moreLearn about audience engagement events.
Community Service for FIVE PRESIDENTS
Read about our free events for audiences of FIVE PRESIDENTS.
Artistic Director’s Note for FIVE PRESIDENTS
Rick Cleveland brilliantly dramatizes this imagined once-in-a-lifetime conversation. Written during #44’s tenure, today’s 2019 America represents a different political, ideological, and cultural awareness than even four years ago. Cleveland returned to the play with a sharpened pencil and tongue.
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