An Emotional Night

We held the table reading of "I" on Thursday night, October 25 in Seattle. 15 professional actors took the parts of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Justice John Roberts, Nancy Pelosi, John Conyers and the other characters in this true life dramatization of the trial in the Senate. When actor John Fantasia read the part of Khaled el-Masri, in what sounded to me anyway, in a perfect Arabic accent, it was a very emotional moment. In a halting, almost choking whisper, he told of his torture at the hands of the CIA. The brutal abduction, the beating -- and the rape. It made me more determined than ever to make sure that this play is mounted and that it brings pressure on Congress to act and impeach the president. After the reading, no one wanted to leave. In what I hope will be a preview of post-play discussions when the actual production happens, everyone stayed behind for nearly an hour, debating the issues and (as an enormous help to me) discussing how to improve the characterizations and plot points of the piece to maximize its impact. It was a thrilling night.

Table Reading Set

On Thursday, October 23, a group of professional Seattle theater actors will read "I". One of the playwrights, Richard Lasser, will be present to hear how the dialogue sounds when spoken. This "workshopping" of the play will allow the playwrights to make any corrections necessary to get the play ready for production.

Why do we call the play "I"?

"I" of course, stands for impeachment. But more importantly, it is the personal pronoun that refers to each one of us. And unless each of us puts pressure on Congress to impeach President Bush, it just won't happen. As Bush states in the play: "450,000 telegrams told President Nixon he was wrong. 2,000,000 phone calls demanded action. No one's contacted me except Jenna to tell me she was getting married."

Not only has Bush committed impeachable crimes; not only has Congress been complicit; but you and I, unless we put pressure on Congress, will bear the ultimate blame. The only way Congress will act is if we make them. That's the purpose of "I" -- to create such a groundswell of publicity that they must act or risk getting humiliated, or even voted out of office for failing to heed the will of all the "I's" in America.

Play complete

"I" is complete. After a review by renown script doctor Paul Young (of "Lord of the Rings" fame), we will begin the casting process. Our plan is to mount the production beginning January 2. Stay tuned!