ARTS . Arts Picks

This Is The Week That Is

Through Jan. 3, $20-$35, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St., 215-592-9560, 1812productions.org.


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Published: Dec 8, 2009

Mark Garvin

theater

"Back by popular demand" is often hyperbole, but not regarding This Is the Week That Is: The New Administration, the fourth installment of 1812 Productions' comedic skewering of current events. Without George W. to kick around anymore, artistic director Jennifer Childs and her co-writers/performers meet new challenges, reviving some favorite bits (Patsy from South Philly, Dave Jadico's lobby interviews and lots of audience participation) and creating new ones — on the very day news happens. "We are very willing — and able — to make fun of Barack Obama," says Childs about post-Bush satire. "He certainly hasn't given us as much material to work with, though."

Fresh news added nightly allows commentary on one-time events, while longer sketches and musical numbers (like "An Obama Christmas Carol" and "Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Tour," Backstreet Boys-style) "ask that we create our version of the man himself," says Childs. "That's a little trickier. I think people are still sort of divided as to how they feel about Obama. Some people are disappointed or frustrated, others are still as optimistic and gung ho as when he won. With Bush, by the end there was a general feeling of anger from everyone — not even Republicans liked him. That is certainly easier to tap into for comedy than more complicated emotions."

Every year, Childs swears the new TITWTI will be the last, "but I think we need it," she explains. "It is a really unique process and there is nothing else like it out there — it's not Saturday Night Live or The Daily Show or Bill Maher ... or anything else. With the economy and Afghanistan and unemployment and on and on and on, people come ready and eager to laugh. And I love doing it."

Through Jan. 3, $20-$35, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St., 215-592-9560, 1812productions.org.