Playwrights Project holds candidate boxing

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama went head to head Friday in Bloomington, with fists flying.

Towering over the passing cars, 15-foot-tall McCain and Obama puppets fought in a boxing match coordinated by the Bloomington Playwrights Project to promote their production of “Partisan Theatrics.”

“We want to cause a stir, have people walk over and ask what it’s about,” Partisan Theatrics producer Michael Carey said. The boxing match was held at College Avenue and Ninth Street outside the Bloomington Playwrights Project.

Carey described “Partisan Theatrics” as a funny, dark comedy about electoral politics that doesn’t advocate one candidate over the other. He received more than 80 submissions for “Partisan Theatrics,” which is made up of 14 plays and five additional tricks, jokes, songs and dance numbers that total an hour-long performance.

“It’s boring to pick one side – it’s like preaching to the choir,” Carey said, adding that everyone has something to make fun of.

CNN election coverage will be shown in the lobby before and after the production. Carey said audience members will be able to watch the coverage and don’t have to worry about missing a thing.

Lora Conrad, who plays the role of Sarah Palin, said she hoped the audience would find truth in the hilarity of the production.

As people stopped to watch the boxing match, Conrad and other actors handed out fliers and candy to promote the production while three actors piloted each puppet. Andy Alphonse, a local actor and poet, read haiku poems based on current events between each boxing round.

“What better (Halloween) costume than a huge puppet?” Carey asked with a laugh, adding that puppets are heavy and tiring to pilot. The puppets were made from recyclable materials including newspapers, scrap lumber and cardboard.

Alphonse said he thought people passing the boxing match were amused, and said it would remind people to vote.

“If they needed a reminder, this would do it,” he said.


“Partisan Theatrics [or] Will Our Apple Fall Far from the Bush?”
When: 10 p.m. today, Tuesday and Wednesday
Where: Bloomington Playwrights
Project, 107 W. Ninth St.
More info: Tickets are $5 each and are available at the door.