Bill of (W)Rights

In a time when the headlines are filled with stories about government monitoring and invastion-of-privacy issues, Renegade Theatre presents the apropos West Coast Premiere of Bill of (W)Rights. The play is a political funhouse built on a moment in history when self-censorship abounds and the populace is increasingly governed by fear. Nine playwrights offer ten plays, each based on one of the U.S. Constitution’s first ten amendments. These pieces overtly focus less on the legislative and more on the interpersonal, from a father and daughter facing a criminal trial to the silence of an unfaithful husband “pleading the fifth” to his family – not to mention a company of actors yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Though each scene is substantial on its merits, many of the playwrights also allow opportunities for provocations, like the burning of an American flag (the subject of recent Senate debate). “Though our constitution is over 200 years old,” notes director Susannah Greenwood, “the topics couldn’t be more current and pertinent to the headlines of today.” RTE further lives up to its experimental name by applying unique staging to the performance. Says Greenwood, “Without giving too much away, our mobile theatre concept helps keep each short play visually fresh, and refuses to let the audience be complacent.”