Todd Blakesley describes his play, A Patriot Act: The Trial of George W. Bush as "Total Immersion Theater" and the description worked for me as a foreign language teacher. However, it also served to intimidate both the introvert and the political ignoramus that are also me. Thankfully, for those spectators who do not wish to be immersed in the action, participation can be very minimal. This work is definitely unique - Blakesley blurs the lines between audience and actors from the moment playgoers walk into the lobby. Spectators are greeted by a "court official" and asked to fill out a name card as either: Witness for the defense or Witness for the prosecution , Juror, or Observer. (Dad checked "Juror", I marked "Observer" as obviously as I could). Viewers, or rather, participants, are seated accordingly in the staged courtroom. All rise as the judge enters. Once he takes his seat, he explains the charges against George Bush:
1. Malfeasance in Office and Dereliction of Duty
2. War Crimes
3. Treason
Basically, the work probably brings to the stage discussions, arguments, editorials, articles and blogs happening all around the country. My favorite line, in fact:
"MAGISTRATE:...Questions, opinions, observations - in fact all matters of Common Knowledge are evidence and relevant for closing arguments and jury consideration. The witness will continue."
The concept is clever, yet the performance is too long by about an hour (although the outcome and probably the duration do depend upon the non-actor participants). It does drag in some scenes and gets very bogged down in minutiae. It's not without some emotion, though.
A bit more interesting to me was the make-up of the viewers. I can't say this very much anymore (dammit), but I was the youngest member of the audience. Dad was the darkest. We all got to say our "Yea" or "Nay" for each charge...the verdicts: "Guilty" of the first two charges and the third was thrown out, as the jury could not reach consensus. (I'm deliberately choosing to believe that my dad had nothing to do with that.)
http://toddblakesley.com/uploads/APA_Script_web_sample.pdf
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