OVERVIEW
"A charismatic performer, his shows have the insightful hostility of the best comedy."
-
The New Yorker
"Blending political anger with striking personal stories, this piece should reach anyone who believes in live performance."
- Variety
"Mike Daisey has proven himself that rare theatrical creature: An entertaining performer with something valuable to say—gripping and vital."
-
Variety
"How Theater Failed America is a funny, surprisingly supple performance about life in the theater, the ecstatic highs and the aching, humiliating lows, rendered here with explosive humor and a dark edge of tragedy."
- Washington Post
"A sardonic rebuke to the corporate types who hold American theater hostage and a powerful sense of the wonder of theater. A remarkable performer."
- New York Times
A monologue about theater, failure, passion, and hope.
Mike Daisey, called “one of the finest solo performers of his generation” by The New York Times, makes his first appearance in Los Angeles with his cautionary piece “How Theater Failed America,” directed by Jean-Michele Gregory, for four performances only, Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, March 21 at 8pm.
In “How Theater Failed America,” Daisey sinks his razor-sharp wit into his workplace in a monologue about theatre, failure, passion and hope. In this controversial piece he makes his case that theatre has lost its audiences and its way by valuing buildings above artists, growth over artistry, and corporations over individuals. The Washington Post called the monologue “ . . . a funny, surprisingly supple performance about life in the theatre, the ecstatic highs and the aching, humiliating lows, rendered here with explosive humor and a dark edge of tragedy.”
In addition, a roundtable discussion about the state of American theater today and its future, presented in conjunction with LA Stage Alliance, will be held after the March 20 performance. There will also be a workshop presentation of Daisey’s newest work, “The Last Cargo Cult,” at 3pm. on Sunday, March 22.
To watch some scenes from the show, click here
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More About the Show
About DouglasPlus
CREDITS
Created and Performed by
Mike DaiseyDirected by
Jean-Michele Gregory
Sponsor
Funding for DouglasPlus is provided by The James Irvine Foundation’s Artistic Innovation Fund and the Leading for the Future Initiative, a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
