This Is the Week That Is

Through Nov. 2, $17-$35, 1812 Productions at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St., 215-592-9560, 1812productions.org.

by Mark Cofta

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Published: Oct 7, 2008

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"Our best comedy comes from a place of passion," says 1812 Productions' artistic director, Jennifer Childs, who oversees the comedy theater's third annual This Is the Week That Is news satire, The Election Special. While they won't endorse a candidate — nonprofits aren't supposed to do that — they'll "get their digs in on both sides," but particularly highlight "things that we are angry or confused or outraged about," Childs says. "I think people will be able to tell where we stand."

Though TITWTI moves to a bigger venue, Childs promises the same audience interaction that made the first two so much fun. "That give-and-take between audience and performer is a key element of the show because it's something you can't get from watching political humor on TV," she points out. Like TV, TITWTI responds to daily events, so if a candidate utters something profound (e.g., another cosmetics-on-livestock comment), expect skewering in that night's show.

The Election Special features Childs' hilarious Patsy from South Philly character opining from her stoop, as well as past presidents, "from famous — Abe Lincoln — to not-so-famous — William Henry Harrison." Steven Wright impersonates Barack Obama, and Anthony Lawton plays John McCain. They join 1812 veterans Childs, Tony Braithwaite, Dave Jadico, Don Montrey, Tom Shotkin, Susan Riley Stevens and music director Alex Bechtel.

Given this endless campaign, if you're not laughing with 1812, you'll probably be crying.

Through Nov. 2, $17-$35, 1812 Productions at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St., 215-592-9560, 1812productions.org.

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