'Political Idol' Returns to Triad Theatre 10/14

Hot off sold-out runs in Washington D.C., Chicago and New York, Political Idol, a hilarious spoof of the presidential elections, returns to Off-Broadway's Triad Theatre opening on Tuesday, October 14 (9PM) for a three week run and will play preview performances on Tuesday, Sept. 30th at  9pm and Thursday, October 2nd at 9pm.

In this final installment, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain square off over the economy and foreign policy, while running mates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin spare over their qualifications to be V.P. nominees.  At the end of the show, the audience will vote for the next Political Idol.  Produced by the FREEDOM TOAST company, the show is a satirical cabaret that takes aim at all political parties and positions.

New this fall, the cast of Political Idol expands to 5, as veteran performer Enga Davis returns to the stage to reprise some of the show’s most successful characters, including Tina Turner, Al Sharpton, Condoleezza Rice and Oprah Winfrey.   Broadway performer Frank Harts - A Raisin In The Sun - returns to Political Idol in his signature roles of Barack Obama, Charlie Rangle, Maya Angelou.  Other returners include Lara Buck (Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, Cindy McCain, Laura Bush, Nancy Pelosi), Joe DiSalle (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mitt Romney, Joe Biden, Al Gore and Dick Cheney), and Robert Yarnall (John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Bill Clinton, George Bush, John Edwards).  The show is directed by Julie Banciak, with Chris Berg as musical director.

Political Idol is based on the parodies of Marc Emory, muse and founder of The Freedom Toast, who originated the idea at a Renaissance Weekend gathering (the annual retreat for innovative leaders from diverse fields) where he was encouraged to record some of his twisted takes on popular songs. “It just became this thing that we kept doing, that kept getting bigger,” says Emory, son of longtime Washington newspaper correspondent and former Gridiron Club president, Alan S. Emory. Robert Yarnall is co-author of the book and lyrics.

The show features almost 2 dozen lyrically altered songs, including new hits “All That Sass” (to the tune of “All That Jazz”, sung by Sarah Palin), “Voting For Our Future” (to the tune of “Rolling On The River, sung by Tina Turner), and returning favorites “Change Is Cool” (to the tune of “Chain of Fools”, sung by Michelle Obama), “Welfare Queen” (to the tune of “Dancin' Queen”, sung by Sarah Palin and John McCain) “Hand On The Gavel” (“Hand In My Pocket”, sung by Nancy Pelosi), and “Rove!” (to the tune of Madonna's “Vogue”, sung by the Bush administration).

Three CDs of The Freedom Toast songs are available on iTunes, including “Sing Along with the Candidates 2008,” “Sing Along with the Democrats” and “Sing Along with the Republicans.”

Political Idol will play Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9PM through October 30th at The Triad Theatre (158 West 72nd Street ~ between Broadway & Columbus Avenue).  There is a $15 Food/Drink minimum and a $25 music charge. For tickets and reservations call TheaterMania (212) 352-3101 or online www.theatermania.com