BWW Previews: TRUMP: A ONE MAN SHOW at Center Stage Theater

In the 13 months since our fearless (not a compliment) leader won the election, artists and performers have been creating work that expresses their interpretation of our nation under Trump. This Monday, January 15th, local performer Lauren Watson brings the Trump dog-and-pony show to Center Stage Theater with TRUMP: A One Man Show to offer comic relief to citizens frustrated with the current state of the nation. The performance will feature Watson as Trump, a character he's been working on since Trump announced his run for office, followed by an audience participatory "town hall" meeting where theatre-goers can channel their inner Ken Bone to ask (or tell) our local Trump proxy anything on their minds.

With a background in sketch and improv comedy, Watson began playing Trump on The Ben Ferguson Show on TVSB, where he would, in guerilla-performance style, enter institutions (like MacDonald's) with the intention of "making them great, again"--and, in the process, doing what Trump does on the regular: making a commotion. During his time playing Trump on TVSB, Watson met director/producer Daniel Bollag, and the two teamed up to create the one man show at Center Stage. "I love performing Donald Trump," says Watson. "He's comedy gold." The show, in line with the concept of the original skits on The Ben Ferguson Show, will have elements both scripted and improvisational. Watson and Bollag's script allows "Trump" to plow through several distinguishing, big-ticket political items associated with his presidency. It will be followed by a improvisational, participatory segment that mimics a town hall meeting. "It can be a tricky balance," Watson explains of having to know both as much and as little as Trump. "You want to prep for any performance you do--especially with so much political controversy surrounding Trump--but at the same time, you don't want appear too rehearsed to let Donald be Donald."

Watson says audiences can expect a dose of comedy therapy from TRUMP that turns controversial topics surrounding our political landscape on their heads. "Freeing people of concern in uncertain times is the goal of the show," Watson says. "I want to be offered up as a therapy dummy for the audience so even the most serious (of them) can let loose for a night." The performance also features two song parodies produced by Watson and local musician/producer, Jessie Rhodes.

Trump: A One Man Show runs at Center Stage for one night only, Monday January 15th at 6:30 p.m., and also features a brief opening set by magician James Lantiegne, owner of the House of Magic Foundation of the Arts in Ventura. Don't miss this satire extravaganza; it will be a huge, huge, bigly night!

TRUMP: A One Man Show
Featuring Lauren Watson
Monday, January 15th at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.centerstagetheater.org