About the Show

Part of FringeNYC: Mike Schlitt wants to restore your faith in American Democracy. He claims he can do it in 47 minutes. Come celebrate American exceptionalism and limited attention spans, then activate your citizenship - join the "Raucous Caucus". Art! Advocacy! Action! (+ puppets)

Categories: Performance Art, Solo Show, National.

FROM THE ARTIST:
PATRIOT ACT Presidential Road Trip 2016…Live! is one disgruntled American’s bold attempt to experience democracy in action. In 2016, Mike Schlitt embarks upon a national electoral listening tour, traveling the country as we select our next President. It’s an experiment in performance, journalism, civic participation, and intimately sane conversations in (sometimes) insane circumstances. Through radio commentary, public debate, podcasts, democracy salons, voter registration drives and a live interactive performance of the show PATRIOT ACT, Mike is exploring our shared histories, learning what the 99% think of our Democratic process, and figuring out exactly what it means to be an American citizen today.

PATRIOT ACT is a comedic theatrical roller-coaster ride through United States’ history, an exploration of the gap between the promise of our American idea and it’s flawed execution and an invitation for audiences to activate their citizenship and let their voices be heard. Writer/Performer Mike Schlitt calls his interactive theatrical event “everything you’ll ever need to know about American Democracy in just 47 minutes + puppets”. Immediately following his solo performance, audiences are invited to address complex questions on activism, democracy and governance in a free-wheeling “Raucous Caucus”. This intimate evening of performance and social engagement aims to create public conversation about the role of each citizen in determining the future of our country.

“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” -Winston Churchill

Written & Performed by two-time FringeNYC award winning Solo Performer Mike Schlitt
Spin Doctors: Michael John Garces & Mark Valdez
Campaign Managers: Ashley Sparks & Kevin Corstange
Coalition Advisor: Tracy Young Image Consultant: Shawn Stoner

Critic Reviews (3)

"A cheerfully intelligent solo piece...A natural storyteller with an abundance of wit and energy, the writer-performer has a knack for making the past feel up-to-date. In Schlitt’s hands, arguments about civil rights and liberties become engagingly noisy debates. Emphasizing that politics should not be a 'spectator sport,' Schlitt makes his show a dialogue with the audience, encouraging discussions about the themes as they come up. He clearly loves his subject, and is eager to share that love."
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"A natural raconteur, he chats with the audience about the great American patriots of yesteryear...Two founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, get the lion's share of attention here. But Schlitt never gets too pedantic or stuffy about their contrasting philosophies…It might be too politically saturated for some theatergoers. But Schlitt hands everybody a 'Patriot' button at the finale, which can be your perfect reminder to vote on Election Day."
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"Schlitt has an extraordinary sense for straddling the line between genuine connection and performativity. The audience cares about him, and it’s clear he cares about us...The show establishes an open conversation between audience and performer, patriot and government…I went into this show anticipating answers, but what Schlitt's show does, what all good theatre does, is teach me how to ask questions better."
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About the Show

Critic Reviews (3)

Trailer

Creative team