10/04/2024 POTUS, OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE (Synchronicity Theatre)
NO COUNTRY FOR ARSE-HOLES
(Disclaimer: This is the first in what I hope will be a long series of “Previews” for upcoming shows, P.R. fodder (if you will) of shows that make me regret leaving the area. They are, in effect, Book Reviews of the scripts, and, as such, will carry no judgment of the production itself. It’s been less than a week, and I miss y’all already!)
Last year, I wrote the following “thumbnail” upon reading POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive by Selina Fillinger. (Well, I’ve edited it a bit here) :
Originally Produced on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre New York, April 2022
Published by Concord Theatricals (Samuel French)
This is one of the funniest scripts I have read in ages – one that left me laughing like a loon, my wife worried that age had finally rotted my brain. The President has said something that cannot be legally repeated anywhere (including here – though the title of this piece is actually a phonetic hint as to what he really said). Seven women in his orbit battle the press and each other to save his unworthy (and infected) posterior. There’s his Chief of Staff, his Press Secretary, his secretary, his dalliance, his sister, a journalist, and the First Lady, This is (allegedly) their order in emotional proximity to him, which should give you a good idea of his personality. Full of surprises and non-partisan politics (ish), this would be an asset on any theatre’s schedule!
And, lo and behold, my friends at Synchronicity Theatre are staging it even now, (too late for me but not for you) and have filled it with an ensemble of the some of the funniest, most versatile, and most talented actors in Atlanta! I have every confidence that Synchronicity will do this script justice, as they seem to do every script that finds its way into their extraordinary hands.
So, in the spirit of Ms Fillinger’s opus:
Release from the White House Press Secretary’s Office:
October 5. Last night, in the presence of the Washington Press Corps and diplomats from Bahrain, China, and FLOTUS, the President announced his endorsement of Leslie Hopper, president of the Female Models Of Leadership Council (FML), an endorsement that will be celebrated at a gala White House event this evening hosted by the president’s spouse.
We would like to also take this opportunity to categorically deny the president used an epithet about his beloved wife, or that the ambassador from Bahrain took umbrage at the word and is planning on withdrawing from this morning’s conference. All parties are still in favor of coming to an agreement that will bring peace to the entire Middle East and to Asia.
Some of you have already received your invitations to the handshake and photo op event with the Jacobsen twins, who I trust you remember, were blinded and maimed saving their units in Iraq. That is being rescheduled for later this afternoon, if POTUS gets clearance from his medical team.
We will not be taking any questions at this time about the President’s health. Thank you.
Memo from White House Medical Team to Chief of Staff:
Harriet: Just to confirm our original diagnosis, the anal abscess has become inflamed and POTUS needs to be reminded that activity in that area with FLOTUS (or anyone else) is strongly discouraged.
Text from POTUS to C of S:
If a very attractive woman answering to the name “Dusty” should be found in a restricted area of the residence, she should not expelled, as she is here to discuss a delicate medical condition (hers not mine) with me and me alone. Discretion is demanded. Do not let FLOTUS near her.
Text from the President’s Sister to POTUS:
Yo! Bro! That pardon better be coming through today! You DON’T want the Press Corp to see me with a prison haircut and an ankle bracelet. I do have some “Tums” to get you through tonight’s yawnfest of a gala. BTW, you need to hire prettier interns.
Text from Chief of Staff to Press Secretary:
POTUS’s Secretary is on something and is wandering the halls hallucinating and behaving inappropriately. I think POTUS’s sister is working some kind of drug scam and Stephanie got caught up in it. Just be sure that Chris … whatever her name … from the Press Corps does not get wind of this. Is that Chris person really at the white House with milk leakage on her blouse?
Phone Mail from FLOTUS to POTUS:
FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE!
Wrap Up from the Buzz to our Readers:
So, I am here to report that POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive is just as funny on repeat reading, and will no doubt keep you in stitches from beginning to end. Any resemblance to any administration past, present, or future will no doubt be informed by your own political leanings. Or obsessions.
Memo from Synchronicity Theatre to Atlanta Theatre Buzz:
Here is our creative team! Wish you could see their work! (*)
The Cast (In Order of Importance to the President):
HARRIET (his Chief of Staff) Wendy Melkonian
JEAN (his Press Secretary) Kelly Criss
STEPHANIE (his Secretary) Marcie Millard
DUSTY (his Dalliance) Jordan Postal
BERNADETTE (his Sister) Gina Rickicki
CHRIS (a Journalist) Camille Monae
MARGARET (his Wife) Brittani Minnieweather
Swings – Haley Covington (Dusty), Tatyana Mack (Chris, Margaret), Courtney Locke (Bernadette), Courtney Loner (Harriet)
The Crew:
Directed by Rachel May
Assistant Directed by Eve Krueger
Stage Management Ashley Freeman
Sound Design Dan Bauman
Costume Design Savannah Cobb
Associate Producer Elisabeth Cooper
Properties Design Tierney Breedlove
Assistant Stage Manager/Intern Jasmine Hill
Lighting Design Maliya McCall
Scenic Design Alex Whittenberg & Gavin Mosier
Lead Electrician Tom Priester
Production Design Vallea E. Woodbury
Scenic Artist Stefnie Cerny
Find More Information and Access to Tickets HERE
Meet the Cast on Our Facebook Page HERE
-- Brad Rudy (BK Rudy@aol.com #SynchronicityTheatre #POTUS)
(*) As do I! As do I ….