I thought this was better suited for News and Politics rather than Entertainment.
Has anyone heard about this play that is supposedly going to start running today through the beginning of September? I do not see how they can claim first ammendment rights on this one. I find this absolutely out of control and offensive and would think so regardless of which political party the president belonged to. What do you all think?
Here is a description and then an article:
Cryptic Comedy "I'm Gonna Kill the President!" to Play Somewhere in NYC, Aug 17-Sept 4
By Ernio Hernandez
20 Jul 2004
Assassins may have closed on Broadway, but another show is taking aim at the leader of the free world in the new guerilla comedy "I'm Gonna Kill the President!" A Federal Offense.
Performances begin at 10 PM at an undisclosed Manhattan location, running Aug. 17-Sept. 4 — including the dates of the Republican National Convention.
A press release for the work penned by "Hieronymous BANG" reads like an classified government document with key words crossed out with a black marker. The material reads ""I'm Gonna Kill the President!" A Federal Offense blends Dario Fo, Abbie Hoffman and the Muppets ======= the story of a confused student's revolutionary awakening and ====== submarines ====== return of the buffalo."
The secretive staging also employs detailed instructions to conspiring audience members: "To see the show, go to Manhattan and proceed to the middle of 10th Street, between Avenue A and Avenue B. Our agents will contact you there. You must arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime." The show offers the show's reservation line, with the further warning, "Latecomers will not be shown to the theatre. And make sure you're not followed." The recording also sends a message to the feds: "If you're some kind of law enforcement agent or official, hang up now, there's nothing illegal happening here."
Tickets — "available to Republican delegates (with ID) for free" — are priced at $15. For reservations, call (212) 802-7446.
NYC Welcomes GOP with 'Kill the President' Play
NewsMax.com ^ | Aug. 10, 2004 | Carl Limbacher
Posted on 08/10/2004 6:43:32 AM PDT by Carl/NewsMax
In advance of the GOP convention at the end of this month, New York City is being plastered with stickers that read, "I'm Gonna Kill the President" - supposedly an advertisement for a new off-Broadway play staged by the anti-war protest group United for Peace and Justice.
"It's the name of a new comedy to run in the East Village during the Republican Convention," WABC Radio's George Weber reported Tuesday morning.
Weber called the box office to find out what could be funny about the murder of an American president, and got this recorded response:
"Howdy," chirped a spokesman. "You've reached the information and instruction hotline for, 'I'm Gonna Kill the President - a Federal Offense."
The unidentified voice goes on to explain that that the play is the story of a young man's plot to kidnap the president in hopes of sparking a revolution that installs a puppet Democracy - featuring real puppets.
The play also includes an audience participation segment where theater-goers are supposed to crank call the White House to demand that President Bush end the war in Iraq.
"If you're some kind of law enforcement agent or official, hang up now," the information hotline concludes. "There's nothing illegal happening here. Just some old-fashioned, constitutionally sanctioned fun."
After Weber's report, WABC's "Curtis & Kuby Show" was deluged with callers outraged over the radical thespian stunt.
Even Communist lawyer-turned-commentator Ron Kuby sounded irked, explaining, "Generally speaking, you cannot directly threaten the president's life." While the play might be "on proper side of the first amendment," he said, "it's not by much."
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