THE TOTALITARIANS
by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb

Directed by Jaimelyn Gray

Featuring Matthew Scales, Haley Ebinal, Ekene Ikegwuani, and Maggie Marks

October 15-29, 2022

Thursdays-Saturdays @ 7:30pm
Sundays @ 4pm

Interchange Theater Co-Op (formerly the 10th Street Theatre), 628 N. 10th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233

THE TOTALITARIANS is a 2015 dark comedy set in Nebraska – a state which may just be on the brink of revolution. Penny, a compulsive and compulsively watchable candidate for state office enlists the help of Francine, a silver-tongued operative. Francine’s husband Jeffrey, a doctor, is lying to his dying patients—one of whom opens his eyes to Penny’s nefarious plans for the Cornhusker State. The play is a raucous satire about the state of modern political discourse, modern relationships, and how easy it is to believe truths without facts. THE TOTALITARIANS was commissioned by National New Play Network through the Full Stage/USA Program at New Dramatists with a lead grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

 
 

*This production contains adult subject matter. Viewer discretion strongly advised. | TW: We believe in the power of dark art catharsis. As such, every Constructivists production contains trigger-inducing words, ideas, and actions. We respect everyone’s boundaries, but also respect those who wish to know as little as possible about this production. General warnings for THE TOTALITARIANS are violence, abusive language, sexual situations, and sudden loud noises.

For the complete list (SPOILER ALERT), CLICK HERE.

If you have any other concerns, please contact us by email at boxoffice@theconstructivists.org, or call 414.858.6874 and we can speak more specifically about what this production may entail.

 

TICKETS

Tickets are always $20. We believe in accessibly to live theatre for all, which is why we keep our tickets at $20. If you are unable to afford the cost of a ticket, or if you are looking for group sales, please email info@theconstructivists.org and we will work with you to make sure you see any of our productions.

COVID-19 POLICY

As COVID-19 is still a thing, if the Milwaukee COVID risk level is Medium or High (yellow or orange), we will require masks at your performance. If it is green, masks will be optional. To check the status:

CURRENT COVID-19 RISK LEVEL

If you have any other questions, email info@theconstructivists.org, or call 414.858.6874

REVIEWS

Featured
ANNE SIEGEL SAYS GO SEE TOTALITARIANS!
ANNE SIEGEL SAYS GO SEE TOTALITARIANS!

  • “The play is simultaneously horrific and hilarious…four characters perform a beautifully timed dance under the able direction of company founder and artistic director Jaimelyn Gray.

  • The actors are adept at keeping the play’s over-the-top antics as “real” as possible. Their ability to deliver punch lines with a straight face is impressive.

  • The Totalitarians offers people a chance to laugh at a time when the relentless wave of political attack TV ads becomes overwhelming (and disgusting?). From start to finish, it’s a politically-themed joy ride that intrepid theatergoers will want to make.” (**SPOILER ALERT** Full Review)

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RUSS BICKERSTAFF SAYS GO SEE TOTALITARIANS
RUSS BICKERSTAFF SAYS GO SEE TOTALITARIANS

  • “Director Jaimelyn Gray conjures a cleverly unbalanced comic energy to the stage for a very contemporary story of the frazzled political dynamics lurking deep in the ragged heart of the U.S.

  • Matthew Scales deftly wields a cleverly understated comic precision in the role of Francine’s husband.

  • Ekene Ikegwuani is a powerful presence onstage as a man of grand delusions . . .

  • Husband, wife and their accompanying psychotics are brought to a satisfying, darkly comic collision in a thoroughly satisfying comedy.” (Full Review)

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GWENDOLYN RICE SAYS GO SEE TOTALITARIANS
GWENDOLYN RICE SAYS GO SEE TOTALITARIANS

  • “Check out the dystopian political world of "The Totalitarians" in Milwaukee! (The Constructivists have done it again. . .) Amazing work.

  • . . . it is a visceral, compelling reminder of the danger – and power – inherent in manipulating the masses by simply validating their rage.” (Full Review)

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Artist biographies

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Peter Sinn Nachtrieb

Peter Sinn Nachtrieb is a San Francisco-based playwright who often writes about misfits, biology, apocalypse, and people struggling against large systems. His work has been seen off-Broadway and across the world including at Ars Nova, Woolly Mammoth, Seattle Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Southern Rep, Barrington Stage Company, Kitchen Dog, Merrimack Repertory and in the Bay Area at Z Space, A.C.T., Encore Theatre, Killing My Lobster, Marin Theatre Company, Impact Theatre, and The Bay Area Playwrights Festival. His plays have received numerous awards including the Will Glickman Prize, The Stavis Award, The ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award, among others.

Peter is an alumna of New Dramatists and was the Mellon/HowlRound Playwright in Residence at Z Space in San Francisco 2013-18. He holds a degree in Theater and Biology from Brown and an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. peternachtrieb.com

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