Five presidents
by Rick Cleveland
Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Quadracci Powerhouse (LORT B)
March 10 - April 5th, 2015
An incisive comedy imagining the conversation between the five living Presidents gathered for Richard Nixon's funeral that explores the pitfalls (and perks!), of holding the most powerful office in the world, and the relationships between the members of the most exclusive club on the planet.
World premiere
best-selling world premiere in milwaukee repertory theater's history (since 1954)
top-ten best-selling production in the history of milwaukee repertory theater's quadracci powerhouse (more than 175 productions since 1987)
Subsequent Productions
Arizona Theatre Company (AZ; 2015)
Bay Street Theatre (NY; 2015)
Acclaim
"...received with exceptional enthusiasm on an ordinary Saturday night, is a good deal of fun to watch... There are moments to make you think..." Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
"Friday's clearly entertained opening night audience loved it. ...reveals some of the fault lines dividing these men..." Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
"...a writer of unquestioned accomplishment...the result of an incredible amount of research...a very, very funny play--the laughs come easily and they are prolonged. This production is a spectacular one..." Dave Begel, OnMilwaukee.com
"top-notch cast...riveting dialogue and some of it is very funny...humor is tempered by moments of poignancy. ...a thoroughly enjoyable evening." TotalTheater.com
Production Photos / Video
All photos by Tim Fuller.
FIVE PRESIDENTS preview video courtesy of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Creative Team / Cast
Director: Mark Clements +
Director of New Play Development / Production Dramaturg: Brent Hazelton
Scenic Designer: Todd Edward Ivins #
Lighting Designer: Jesse Klug #
Costume Designer: Mary Folino #
Sound Designer: Brian Jerome Peterson #
Makeup Designer: Lauren Wilde
Dialect and Voice Coach: Jill Walmsley Zager
Stage Manager: Richelle Harrington Calin *
Assistant Stage Manager: Rebecca Lindsey *
Stage Management Apprentice: Kimberly Carolus
Assistant Director: Hannah Greene
George H.W. Bush: Mark Jacoby *
Jimmy Carter: Martin L'Herault *
Special Agent Michael Kirby: Reese Madigan *
Ronald Reagan: Steve Sheridan *
Gerald R. Ford: Jeff Steitzer *
Bill Clinton: Brit Whittle *
* AEA + SDC # USA