ImprovBoston presents AMERICAN CHARLATAN, A New Musical About America's Most Brazen Con Man

A con man built a brand around himself by exploiting new media to connect with his audience, made millions by defrauding the American people, embraced right-wing politics, and then ran for office. Nearly a century ago, real-life con man John R. Brinkley cheated his way into fame and political power when he insisted he could cure impotence by implanting goat testicles into men. In a world premiere of a new musical inspired by the accounts of Brinkley's improbable rise, ImprovBoston brings the story of America's most brazen con man to life - comedically recounted through song, dance and the occasional scalpel - every Friday in July.

American Charlatan creators believe now is right time to tell Brinkley's story. "We decided it was time to tell the story of what happens when a con man takes advantage of new forms of media and turns them into great wealth and power," says American Charlatan Co-Creator Don Schuerman. "Charlatans have always been among us, and when we accept simple solutions to complicated problems, we risk becoming a target."

Schuerman says the show is funny not only because of the goat-testicles-in-humans concept. "There's slapstick, wordplay, generally silliness, double entendres, shocking moments, and the tiniest bit of gratuitous gore," he explains. "ImprovBoston has a history of supporting original comedic musical theater (GoreFest, Murder Night), and Co-Creator Steve Gilbane and I have a track record of writing satirical musicals (GoreFest) for ImprovBoston's stages. We set our sights simultaneously lower and higher with this show."

Schuerman hopes audiences revel in an experience deeper than the shock value of this true story. "Some tendencies are baked deep into the core of the weird cake we call America," Schuerman adds. "If you feel anxious about the state of the world today, we've got the cure for what ails you."

American Charlatan takes place on July 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th at ImprovBoston. Tickets are available at https://ibamericancharlatan.eventbrite.com. No actual goats will be harmed during the performance.

ImprovBoston
Unexpected. Every time.

For over 30 years, ImprovBoston has been New England's leading theater and school dedicated to the art of comedy in all its forms. Voted "Best of Boston" by The Phoenix, The Improper Bostonian, and The Weekly Dig, ImprovBoston performers, teachers and students have included film stars, Emmy Award-winning comedians, and acclaimed producers, directors, musicians and writers. ImprovBoston alumni are featured on Conan, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, America's Got Talent, Funniest Wins, Playboy, Last Comic Standing and John Oliver's Last Week Tonight, to name a few. In 2014, the Independent Reviewers of New England honored ImprovBoston with an award recognizing its longstanding contributions to the Boston theater community. As a nonprofit arts organization, ImprovBoston serves the community through laughter with youth outreach programs, workshops for businesses, scholarships, a national touring company and, of course, performances at its theater complex in Central Square,

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