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Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks: The Comedy of Errors
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book by Ed Furman
music and lyrics by T.J. Shanoff
directed by Matt Hovde

Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare
in a cabaret-style setting
March 26 – September 6, 2009

Contains adult humor and language and is recommended for mature audiences

“The gift that keeps on giving!”–Chicago Tribune

“Like manna from heaven, comic material galore”–Variety

Watch the real Rod Blagojevich onstage with the Second City cast of Rod Blagojevich Superstar

Politics and parody take center stage Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare with the Second City’s rollicking musical parody of the rise and fall of ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich. Following a sold out run at Second City e.t.c., the limited engagement on Navy Pier will feature new music and frequent updates—incorporating Blagojevich’s brother, his $100,000 book deal and Roland Burris’s son—as the Illinois political saga continues to unfold. After each performance, the cast will improvise a 20-minute political comedy set based on audience suggestions.

Approximate Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes (includes intermission)

A faux tribute to the man who compares himself to Gandhi, King and Mandela, Rod Blagojevich Superstar presents the story of the former governor in the style of a ‘70s rock musical. Jesus and Mary Magdalene have been replaced by Rod and Patti Blagojevich, with appearances by Alderman Dick Mell, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, and Senator Roland Burris. The jury is still out on Blagojevich, but of the five other Illinois governors who have been charged with crimes, three have done time.

Patti in the Huffington Post 
Patti Blagojevich discusses her decision to appear on an NBC reality show after the Former Governor was denied permission to leave the country.

Late Show with David Letterman  
It was hard to miss Rod Blagojevich during his impeachment trial, when he absented himself from the proceedings and went to the national media to plead his case. Letterman spoke for all of us when he asked, “Why, exactly, are you here?”

The Rachel Maddow Show from MSNBC  
Even MSNBC’s newest star had to admire Blagojevich’s political skills as she tried to get behind his assertions that he didn’t do anything wrong and did a lot of things right.

The Cast
See who’s who among the actors.

The Creative Team
See who’s who on the creative team—the director, designers and other artists who contribute to the creation of the world of the play.

Creative Team Featured on WTTW  
Second City producer Kelly Leonard and members of the cast and creative team are interviewed about the creation and rehearsal of the show on Channel 11’s Chicago Tonight.

Interview with T.J. Shanoff
Co-writer T.J. Shanoff offers insights into the inspiration and writing process in a Time Out Chicago feature.

Producer Kelly Leonard on NPR
Kelly Leonard, President of Second City Theatricals, explains the genesis of the musical on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered.

 

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