46 Plays For 46 Presidents by Karen Weinberg, Chloe Johnston, Genevra Gallo...-Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, Andy BayiatesShow more

(35)
Productions (164)
Historical Dramatic Comedy
|
105 - 115 minutes
5 Any (5-158 actors possible: 0-158 W, 0-158 M)
Content Notes: Adult language.
Set: Extensive prop storage, a projection screen for slides or video, four podiums, a table, a chalkboard or something similar, and an oversized pair of scales.

46 Plays for 46 Presidents is exactly what it sounds like, but every turn it takes is entirely unexpected. In each of these espresso shots of American history, a member of the flexible ensemble dons the star-spangled coat of the presidency and the group explores a surprising aspect of that administration. The short plays run on a spectrum from elections to impeachments, from personal stories to political battles, and from funny to tragic. Whether it's a comedy roast of Thomas Jefferson, a nuanced monologue about social upheaval during the Johnson administration, or a mini-musical about George Bush Sr., you're never going to know what's coming next. A unique, thought-provoking, and wildly entertaining evening of theatre. Read More

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com to receive your printable PDF.

Play Details

46 Plays for 46 Presidents is exactly what it sounds like, but every turn it takes is entirely unexpected. In each of these espresso shots of American history, a member of the flexible ensemble dons the star-spangled coat of the presidency and the group explores a surprising aspect of that administration. The short plays run on a spectrum from elections to impeachments, from personal stories to political battles, and from funny to tragic. Whether it's a comedy roast of Thomas Jefferson, a nuanced monologue about social upheaval during the Johnson administration, or a mini-musical about George Bush Sr., you're never going to know what's coming next. A unique, thought-provoking, and wildly entertaining evening of theatre.

This play is published as 45 Plays for 45 Presidents. To access the new 46th Play, please use the PDF available here.

Check out its companion play 46 Plays for America's First Ladies.

  • Historical Dramatic Comedy
  • |
  • 105 - 115 minutes
  • 5 Any (5-158 actors possible: 0-158 W, 0-158 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language.
  • Set: Extensive prop storage, a projection screen for slides or video, four podiums, a table, a chalkboard or something similar, and an oversized pair of scales.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-731-9

Published Reviews

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: They definitely are on to something in this zany, clever, ambitious and often surprisingly moving historical catalogue."

Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

"[A] theatrical gem."

Rodney Ho, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"A highly entertaining gavotte...[that] knows how to keep us students listening."

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

"An atomic explosion of creativity."

Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun Times

"Deeply moving, stealthily patriotic... Chicago writers Andy Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, Genevra Gallo, Chloe Johnston and Karen Weinberg have delivered a dramatic work of considerable originality and comic integrity."

Wendell Brock, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The creators juxtapose the word with image, sound with light, humor, with sentiment, with just the right touch of insight and sociopolitical commentary."

Tim Sauers, Gay Chicago

"What makes 43 Presidents chancy is how it dares to take history seriously."

Curt Holman, Creative Loafing (Atlanta)

"Hilarious, difficult, insightful, revelatory and totally unforgettable. Like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, 43 Plays helps illuminate, in [a] speculatively subversive manner."

David Cashman, Chicago Weekly News

"Entertaining...inventive...enlightening."

Justin Hayford, Chicago Reader

Production History

JUL 13, 2025 - JUL 13, 2025
Breakthrough Workshop Theatre
Coronado, CA United States
Breakthrough Workshop TheatreCoronado, CA United States
DEC 12, 2024 - DEC 14, 2024
Madison East High School
Madison, WI United States
Madison East High SchoolMadison, WI United States
NOV 15, 2024 - NOV 24, 2024
Central Catholic High School
Portland, OR United States
Central Catholic High SchoolPortland, OR United States
OCT 24, 2024 - OCT 26, 2024
Middlesex College
Edison, NJ United States
Middlesex CollegeEdison, NJ United States
OCT 17, 2024 - OCT 20, 2024
Things Unseen Theatre
Altoona, PA United States
Things Unseen TheatreAltoona, PA United States
JAN 13, 2023 - JAN 14, 2023
Rambunctious Theatre Company
Fairfax, VA United States
Rambunctious Theatre CompanyFairfax, VA United States
OCT 06, 2022 - OCT 08, 2022
William Woods University
Fulton, MO United States
William Woods UniversityFulton, MO United States
OCT 24, 2021 - NOV 16, 2021
Lost & Found Productions
Denver, CO United States
Lost & Found ProductionsDenver, CO United States
NOV 20, 2020 - NOV 21, 2020
Catholic Memorial School
West Roxbury, MA United States
Catholic Memorial SchoolWest Roxbury, MA United States
OCT 15, 2020 - OCT 17, 2020
NWOSU
Alva, OK United States
NWOSUAlva, OK United States
1 of 17
JUL 13, 2025 - JUL 13, 2025
Breakthrough Workshop Theatre
Coronado, CA United States
Breakthrough Workshop TheatreCoronado, CA United States
JAN 11, 2018 - FEB 04, 2018
NextStop Theatre Company
Herndon, VA United States
NextStop Theatre CompanyHerndon, VA United States
JUL 18, 2017 - JUL 23, 2017
Parallel 45
Traverse City, MI United States
Parallel 45Traverse City, MI United States
OCT 06, 2016 - OCT 30, 2016
Cleveland Public Theatre
Cleveland, OH United States
Cleveland Public TheatreCleveland, OH United States
OCT 06, 2016 - NOV 13, 2016
Oil Lamp Theater
Glenview, IL United States
Oil Lamp TheaterGlenview, IL United States
SEP 07, 2016 - OCT 02, 2016
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Lowell, MA United States
Merrimack Repertory TheatreLowell, MA United States
NOV 15, 2012 - NOV 17, 2012
The Neo-Futurist Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
The Neo-Futurist TheatreChicago, IL United States
NOV 07, 2012 - NOV 10, 2012
The Neo-Futurist Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
The Neo-Futurist TheatreChicago, IL United States
NOV 01, 2012 - NOV 02, 2012
The ArtsCenter
Carrboro, NC United States
The ArtsCenterCarrboro, NC United States
NOV 01, 2012 - NOV 06, 2012
Elemental Theatre Collective
Providence, RI United States
Elemental Theatre CollectiveProvidence, RI United States
OCT 29, 2012 - OCT 30, 2012
Nautilus Music Theater
St. Paul, MN United States
Nautilus Music TheaterSt. Paul, MN United States
1 of 3

eScript Details

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