Sunday, October 25, 2020

It Can’t Happen Here
Syracuse Stage
Lisa Peterson, director

Price: Free
Online

Syracuse Stage partners with more than 75 theaters across the country to broadcast a radio adaption of Sinclair Lewis's 1930s politically charged novel It Can't Happen Here. Produced by the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the show stars Oscar nominated actor David Strathairn. Also in the cast is Greta Oglesby, who starred in Syracuse Stage's production of Caroline, or Change.

Written in 1935 during the rise of fascism in Europe, Lewis's darkly satirical It Can't Happen Here follows the ascent of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States by promising to return the country to greatness. The new stage adaptation, which premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theater in 2016, closed just one week before the presidential election roiled our nation. Now, Berkeley Rep reprises that production, but this time Syracuse Stage along with theaters across the country will be joining to broadcast this production as a radio play. The broadcast is intended to encourage participation in the upcoming election.