The Strangerer (2008)by Mickle Maher
Performances
Oct 16, 2008 -
Nov 8, 2008
Cast & Personnel
Director
Assistant Director
Cast
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Booth Crew
The Play
George W. Bush wants to kill PBS newsman Jim Lehrer. He wants to kill him right on the stage of his first presidential debate with John Kerry. In a more-than-nifty turn, the reason for the attempted murder, revealed to us and Bush himself near the play’s end, makes Bush the unlikely, existential hero of the play. A surreal reimagining of real events, THE STRANGERER delves deeply into the minds of the three characters, especially Bush, in surprising, often hilarious, and sometimes unsettling ways. Partly inspired by the works of author-philosopher Albert Camus—particularly Camus’ novel THE STRANGER which the real Bush once placed on his summer reading list—Catastrophic Theatre favorite Mickle Maher (SONG ABOUT HIMSELF, THE HUNCHBACK VARIATIONS, THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS, THE PINE, SPIRITS TO ENFORCE) explores the fascinating ground between murder and philosophy.The Playwright
MICKLE MAHER
Mickle Maher’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and throughout the world. Catastrophic has produced a whopping 12 productions of his plays, some of them more than once: last season’s It Is Magic, Song About Himself, The Hunchback Variations, There Is a Happiness That Morning Is, The Strangerer, Jim Lehrer and The Theater and Its Double and Jim Lehrer’s Double, and the world premieres of The Pine and Small Ball, commissioned and co-produced by Catastrophic and former Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey. Maher is a co-founder of Chicago’s Theater Oobleck and has taught playwriting and related subjects at The University of Chicago, Columbia College, and Northwestern University. His plays are published by Hope and Nonthings.
“Maher [is] one of the most original voices in American theater today.” – Houston Chronicle
In the Media
Paul Locklear gives uncanny performance as President Bush
November 8, 2008 |
Houston Chronicle
| Everett Evans
Capsule Stage Reviews: …and L.A. Is Burning, Beatrice and Benedict, The Strangerer
November 6, 2008 |
Houston Press
| D.L. Groover
Theater review: Catch this debate — The Strangerer
October 19, 2008 |
Houston Chronicle
| Everett Evans
Review: The Strangerer by Mickle Maher
October 19, 2008 |
Dancehunter
| Nancy Wozny
The Strangerer
October 18, 2008 |
Culturevulture
| Nancy Wozny
