Los Angeles, CA
CONVENTION: LA Extension
It’s 1944. The world is at war, the President is dying, and the Democrats can’t decide who should run the country. Come watch democracy - onstage and off the rails!
CONVENTION tells the startling true story of what went down at the 1944 Democratic National Convention. It's shocking, immersive, and unhinged: over 50 actors (not a typo) outnumber the audience of 50 and plunge you into the heart of the action. So you're not just watching a play - you're living through the convention in real time. This unique experience employs groundbreaking writing software that weaves layered dialogue across multiple spaces, creating a rich, harmonious rhythm. What's at stake: in a moment of internal crisis, Democratic Party leaders made a fateful backroom decision that changed the course of history. They ousted incumbent VP Henry Wallace - a progressive with mass public support - and installed a little-known Senator named Harry S. Truman. FDR died months later, and with that switch, progressivism was shown the door. Sound familiar? The sidelining of Wallace marked not just a personnel swap, but a philosophical one from which the Democratic Party has never fully recovered. The lingering question still hangs in the air: what would have happened if Wallace had been allowed to lead?
Audience Role
Cast members will move throughout the space. Please observe but don’t interact. Think of it as being on the convention floor: delegates in heated debate and you’re right in the thick of it. But you CAN interact with our concession workers. They’ll be roaming with 1944-era candy, hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks for purchase. Look for the red aprons and bow ties. Come hungry!
Ages: 18 +
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Years on EI
About CONVENTION
An immersive new play. An alarming true story about what went down at the 1944 Democratic National Convention.