The Democracy Project

45 Below, New York City

About the Show

Naked Angels, in collaboration with The Culture Project, presents The Democracy Project, a collage of short plays, music and theatrical presentations written and performed by some of the country’s leading playwrights and artists. This unique and timely event takes place in between the National Conventions and the National Elections.

The Democracy Project is the latest in the Naked Angles’ long-running series which focus on contemporary social issues. These evenings feature new pieces by some of the most dynamic writers working in the theater, including Kenneth Lonergan, Patrick Breen, Theresa Rebeck, Jon Robin Baitz, Lynn Nottage, Ned Eisenberg, Warren Leight, Pippin Parker, Stephen Belber, Nicole Burdette, Frank Pugliese, John Bellouso, Lee Blessing, Nilo Cruz, Tom Fontana, Eduardo Machado, Chris Shinn, Josh Ben Friedman, Jessica Goldberg, Graham Gordy, Jerome Hairston, and Louise Rozett.

Naked Angels asked participating artists to address the theme of Democracy in any manner they found personal, relevant or intriguing. The result is a stimulating, multi-dimensional arrangement of their responses, interlaced with live music and video. These short pieces are rehearsed and presented with a cast of special guests over the two week period. Each evening is hosted by a noted figure from the world of the Arts, Politics or Academia, who then participates in a Q&A about the ideas that have been presented.

Evening 1 (September 14 – 17)
How We Get To Where We’re Going, written By Theresa Rebeck, directed by Sheryl Kaller

An American Dream, written By Nicole Burdette, directed by Pippin Parker

The American Past Time (or Team Sports), written By Josh Ben Friedman, directed by Jeffery Glickman

A Musical Interlude

Lip Service, written by Jerome Hairston, directed by Karen Kohlhaas

The Dying City, written by Chris Shinn, directed by Will Frears

Guest Speakers:
Wednesday , September 15th………Kurt Vonnegut

Thursday, September 16……Lewis Lapham, Harpers Magazine

Friday, September 17th……..Alan Brinkley, Provost, Columbia University

Evening 2 (September 20 – 22)
Nosotros, written by Hugh Murtagh, directed by Daniel Goldstein

Patriot Schmatriot, written by Louise Rozett, directed by Geoffrey Nauffts

To Be Human, written by Stephen Belber, directed by Lucie Tiberghien

Coopman & Dink, written by Graham Gordy, directed by Frank Pugliese

The Art Of The Practical, written by Doug Cordell, directed by Jonathan Bernstein

Lip Service, written by Jerome Hairston, directed by Karen Kohlhaas

Guest Speakers:
Monday, September 20th………David S. Bennahum – Media Matters for America

Wednesday, September 22……Reno, entertainer

Musical Guests:

Monday, September 20th………Metropolitan Klezmer & Isle Of Klezbos

Evening 3 (September 23 – 27)
Reagan In Hell, written by Lee Blessing, directed by Daniel Goldstein

The Fitting (a reading), written by Frank Pugliese, directed by Sheryl Kaller

The Least We Can Do, written by Andrew Yerkes, directed by Tamlyn Freund

Medieval Scene, written & directed by Kenneth Lonnergan

Samsara, written by Juana Kennedy, directed by Seret Scott

The Arizona Rule, written by Pippin Parker, directed by Jonathan Bernstein

Guest Speakers:
Thursday, September 23rd………Evangeline Morphos, The New School

Saturday, September 25th………………Kathleen Chalfant

Tuesday, September 28th………………David S. Bennahum, Media Matters for America

Musical Guests:
Thursday, September 23rd………Phillip Johnston

Friday, September 24th………………The Hazzards

Saturday, September 25th………………Gary Lucas

Monday, September 27th………………Mike Doughty

Evening 4 (September 28 – October 2)
Kandor, written by Tom Fontana

Fear Network News, written by Warren Leight, directed by Neil Freeman

*Instant Girl* 9/28, 9/29 & 10/1, 10/2

The Conductor, written by Eduardo Machado

White Jesus, written by Deidre O’Connor, directed by Annie Dorsen

PS I’m Glad You Sent Your Hair, written by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld & Kerri-Ann McCalla, directed by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld

Guest Speakers:
Wednesday, September 29th………Eric Bogosian

Friday, October 1……..Arthur Schlessinger, Jr., Author

Saturday, October 2nd…………..John Podesta, Chief-Of-Staff under

President Clinton, founder of The Center for Amerian Progress

The casts will include: Jessica Arinella, David Eigenberg, Nathan Dean Mark Margolis, Chris Messina, Tim Ransom, Ray Anthony Thomas, Toby Parker, Victor Rasuk, Kerry Washington, Dean Winters, and more. For up to date casting information, please click here to visit the Naked Angels website.

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