This is Not Another Campaign Email: Just a list of amazing plays (about politics) that everyone should read!
We are not discussing next week’s election, but we are talking about some of our favorite plays about politics! Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email,
We are not discussing next week’s election, but the Scene’s Zach Dulli is discussing his love for plays about politics!
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And don’t forget to check out this week's free read, And a Child Shall Lead by Michael Slade.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
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George Clooney’s Good Night and Good Luck sets theater and dates for Broadway bow by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The new play will open on Broadway in spring 2025. Read...
Death Becomes Her, Hell’s Kitchen, The Outsiders, and More Will Perform on the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The NBC broadcast will also feature the Radio City Rockettes, Lea Salonga, Idina Menzel, and Ariana Madix. Read...
How Broadway's Revival of 'Romeo and Juliet' Captures Gen Z Through Fashion-Forward Costume Design by Brooke Frischer, Fashionista | Costume designer Enver Chakartash walks Fashionista through the show's modern wardrobe featuring brands like Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Y-3 and Adidas. Read...
Ben Ahlers and Victoria Pedretti Will Star in Off-Broadway Revival of Tender Napalm by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Rory McGregor will direct Philip Ridley’s two-hander. Read...
Cole Escola's Oh, Mary! Will Be Licensed by Dramatists Play Service by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The irreverent comedy is currently playing an extended run at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre. Read...
Skyrocketing Broadway Show Budgets Scare Producers by Marc Hershberg, Forbes | The scariest thing about Death Becomes Her might be its budget. With initial capitalization costs of $31.5 million, the new musical is the most expensive show to arrive on Broadway in over five years. Read...
Anime on Broadway May Be a Perfect Match by Maya Phillips, The New York Times | “Attack on Titan: The Musical” showed what a crossover between two seemingly different types of fans could look like. Read...
Hit Play About U.S. Constitution Debuts in Canada. Amended, of Course. by Aisling Murphy, The New York Times | How do you retool “What the Constitution Means to Me” for those unfamiliar with the U.S. Constitution? Consult Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Read...
This is Not Another Campaign Email: Just a list of amazing plays (about politics) that everyone should read!
By Zach Dulli, The Scene
You know that feeling when your phone buzzes for the tenth time in an hour, and it's yet another politician asking for a "small" donation? Yeah, me too. It's like we're trapped in this endless loop of campaign texts and emails, each one more urgent than the last. But what if we hit pause on the political noise for a second and redirected our attention to something a bit more... engaging?
Growing up in the Washington DC area, politics wasn't just the evening news—it was the backdrop of everyday life. But it wasn't the policy debates or the election cycles that hooked me; it was the stories of the people behind the podiums. The human beings wrestling with ambition, ethics, power, truth, love, and loss. That's why my favorite TV show is still The West Wing (with Veep as a close second), and my go-to movie is All the President's Men. These stories peel back the layers of political personas to reveal the flawed, fascinating individuals at their core.
So, while many folks shy away from anything labeled "political," I dive in headfirst. Not because I'm a glutton for C-SPAN reruns but because these narratives offer invaluable insights into our history and the people who shape our world. And guess what? There's a treasure trove of political drama waiting for you in the theater.
But don't worry—this isn't about Tuesday’s election. I promise there won't be a quiz on policy positions or a pitch for campaign contributions. This is about storytelling at its finest—stories that just so happen to unfold in the corridors of power. Here are some of my favorite plays about politics that deserve your attention.
All the Way by Robert Schenkkan
The Story: November 1963. An assassin's bullet catapults Lyndon Baines Johnson into the presidency. LBJ, a Texan with ambition the size of his home state, is determined to pass the Civil Rights Act—a contentious issue threatening to tear the nation apart. Schenkkan's All the Way is a high-stakes exploration of power, morality, and the cost of getting things done. It's not personal; it's just politics.
Why It Matters: Why It's Awesome: Winner of the 2014 Tony Award® for Best Play, All the Way was so compelling that it was adapted into a 2016 HBO film. Bryan Cranston reprised his Tony-winning role as LBJ, joined by a stellar cast that included Melissa Leo as Lady Bird Johnson and Anthony Mackie as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This play doesn't just recount history—it humanizes a president navigating one of America's most tumultuous times.
Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan
The Story: British talk show host David Frost is desperate for a comeback, and former President Richard Nixon is equally eager to rehab his image post-Watergate. Frost/Nixon chronicles the televised interviews that became a battleground for redemption and legacy. It's a masterclass in dialogue and psychological chess, proving that sometimes the most intense showdowns don't happen on battlefields but in armchairs under studio lights.
Why It's Awesome: Peter Morgan, also known for creating Netflix's The Crown, delivers a gripping narrative that blurs the line between interviewer and interrogator. The play was so impactful it was adapted into an acclaimed film. It's a testament to how personal ambition and public image collide in spectacular fashion.
Farragut North by Beau Willimon
The Story: Meet Stephen Bellamy, a wunderkind press secretary navigating the treacherous waters of a presidential primary. He's got ambition, talent, and a career that men twice his age would envy. But in the cutthroat arena of politics, even the brightest stars can implode. Farragut North is a timely tale about the lust for power and the costs one will endure to achieve it.
Why It's Awesome: Beau Willimon, who created Netflix's House of Cards, brings insider knowledge to this sharp narrative. The play was adapted into the film The Ides of March, featuring heavyweights like Ryan Gosling and George Clooney. Fun fact: when I lived in D.C., Farragut North was my Metro stop on the way to work. Talk about life imitating art!
An American Daughter by Wendy Wasserstein
The Story: Dr. Lyssa Dent Hughes is on the brink of becoming a Cabinet secretary when a past indiscretion threatens her nomination. Set against the backdrop of D.C.'s political landscape, the play delves into the personal and public fallout that ensues when private lives become front-page news. It's a poignant look at gender, media frenzy, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of public service.
Why It's Awesome: I first saw this play as it closed out the Arena Stage's 2002-03 season, directed by the phenomenal Molly Smith. The play's exploration of personal ethics versus public perception remains incredibly relevant. It was also the only time I met the late, great Wendy Wasserstein.
Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola
The Story: Ever wondered what happens when you mix historical figures with absurdist comedy? Oh, Mary! is a spoof featuring Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln like you've never imagined. Mary dreams of vaudeville stardom, while Abe grapples with hidden facets of his identity—all set in the days leading up to that fateful night at Ford's Theatre.
Why It's Awesome: Cole Escola's creation opened on Broadway to universal acclaim, being hailed as "silly, nasty, tasteless and, in the end, good theater." Critics praised its ability to stretch a "stupid joke" to its limits, leaving audiences in stitches. It's one of those rare gems that combines campy humor with sharp wit, reminding us that even historical icons had personal lives full of untold stories. While it's not a play to look at for historical accuracy, it is one of the funniest plays to come to Broadway in a long time!
Fatherland conceived by Stephen Sachs
The Story: Fatherland tells the gripping true story of an eighteen-year-old who turns his father into the FBI due to his dad's involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Fast-paced and emotionally charged, the play unfolds verbatim from official court transcripts, case evidence, and public statements.
Why It's Awesome: Currently playing off-Broadway until November 10th, this production is a powerful exploration of family, loyalty, and the complex web of personal and political beliefs. If you're in New York, see it before it closes. The immediacy and relevance of Fatherland make it a standout in contemporary political documentary theatre.
But wait, there's more. While those are a few of my personal favorites, the world of political theatre is vast and rich, filled with stories that challenge, inspire, and provoke. Here are 36 other titles that also deserve your attention. These plays offer diverse perspectives on historical events and figures, challenging us to think critically about the political landscape and the human condition.
46 Plays For 46 Presidents by Karen Weinberg, Chloe Johnston, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, and Andy Bayiates
46 Plays for America's First Ladies by Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sharon Greene, Chloe Johnston, Bilal Dardai, and Andy Bayiates
Abe Lincoln in Illinois by Robert E. Sherwood
Angels in America by Tony Kushner
Ann by Holland Taylor
The Best Man by Gore Vidal
Building the Wall by Robert Schenkkan
Checkers by Douglas McGrath
Confidence (and The Speech) by Susan Lambert Hatem
The Conscientious Objector by Michael Murphy
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Daisy by Sean Devine
An Enemy of the People by Arthur Miller, based on the play by Henrik Ibsen
The Great Society by Robert Schenkkan
Hillary and Clinton by Lucas Hnath
Hillary: A Modern Greek Tragedy with a (Somewhat) Happy Ending by Wendy Weiner
House Arrest by Anna Deavere Smith
Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
JQA by Aaron Posner
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
King Charles III by Mike Bartlett
The Manchurian Candidate by John Lahr
My Buddy Bill by Rick Cleveland
Nixon's Nixon by Russell Lees
Our Man in Santiago by Mark Wilding
The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson
RFK by Jack Holmes
Richard III by William Shakespeare
Stuff Happens by David Hare
Sunrise at Campobello by Dore Schary
Top Girls by Caryl Churchill
The Tug of War by David Rambo
Voice of Good Hope by Kristine Thatcher
Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets
What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck
When Monica Met Hillary by Winter Miller
So, there you have it—a curated list of political plays that are anything but dry legislative debates. They're narratives filled with passion, intrigue, humor, and heart. They remind us that behind every policy and headline, there's a human story worth telling.
Next time you're tempted to toss your phone out the window after the umpteenth campaign text, consider diving into one of these plays instead. Trust me, they're far more entertaining than any fundraising pitch you'll ever receive.
Finally, don’t forget to vote. Theatre inspires reflection, but action drives change. At the end of the day, the stories of tomorrow are written based on the choices we make today.
The Last Laugh to transfer to the West End by Olivia Rook, London Theatre | Written and directed by Paul Hendy, the show re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's greatest comedy heroes: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse. Read...
Mean Girls extends West End run at the Savoy Theatre by Tanyel Gumushan, WhatsOnStage | The stage musical was first seen in Washington in 2017 before a Broadway transfer in 2018. Read...
Scissorhands musical, featuring songs from Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Alanis Morissette, to have a UK premiere by Alex Wood, WhatsOnStage | The show’s team features co-producers Lance Bass and Michelle Visage. Read...
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Cyndi Lauper's Working Girl Musical will get a World Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2025 by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The film is coming to the stage with a book by Smash creator Theresa Rebeck. Read...
The Baltimore Sun Ends Features Section Including Theatre Reviews by Joshua Wright, Broadway World | The Baltimore Sun eliminates its features section, reassigning reporters and ending dedicated culture coverage after 135 years. Read...
Casting Complete for Arena Stage's Death on the Nile World Premiere, From Ken Ludwig by Molly Higgins, Playbill | Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif will stage the Agatha Christie story at the D.C. theatre. Read...
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Free Reads of the Week
Read entire plays for free! Playscripts offers a selection of full-length and one-act plays that you can access for free, which is ideal for use in theatre productions, school performances, or competitions. To explore these titles, click on the cover image below or select the "READ FOR FREE" button at the bottom of this section. This action will direct you to the play's page on the Playscripts website. Once there, click "READ NOW" to begin enjoying the play immediately!
And a Child Shall Lead by Michael Slade
The Story: This is the heroic and true story of children coming of age in Terezin, the "Jewish city" established by the Nazis near Prague as a way station before the death camps. In the face of unspeakable horror, these children use their determination and creativity to build lives filled with hope and beauty—playing, studying, making art, and writing an underground newspaper—all at the peril of being executed. Their actual poems and stories are woven into a fast-paced drama, evoking the universality of children caught in the insanity of war.
Drama | 90 - 100 minutes | 4 W, 4 M, (8-30 actors possible: 4-15 W, 4-15 M) | Set: A suggestive representation of the Terezin camp and barracks. Various levels of platforms may suggest different locations.
