The Idea of America

Academy Award, and two time Emmy, winning director Milton Justice was just one of the many distinguished artists who helped Sam Shore bring to life his wickedly astute new play The Idea of America.

First performed in late 2009 and playing to sell out audiences, its fast paced dialogue and vivid theatricality made it a must see. It was quickly picked up for further production both locally and internationally.

This exciting new work draws on the strengths of two generations of New Zealand performance artists. Award winning designer John Parker, recognized as one of our leading theatre designers, established playwright Gary Henderson and acclaimed actor, and current ‘Go-Girls’ cast member, Michele Hine, join forces with Sam, and a lineup of some of New Zealand’s finest up and coming talents, to create a captivatingly original portrayal of family life.

Jude, a failed actress battling dementia, seems to think she's a lot more famous than she actually is. Between playing mother and battling with her illness, she escapes into a world of sequins, air-kisses and grand sweeping entrances. Amongst all this her conservative and bigoted daughter, Holly, returns to the fold. Youngest Maureen, and secretive older brother Sean, greet her warily. As things turn from bad to worse the comically dysfunctional siblings must unite in a common cause. Lies are exposed, old wounds reopened and each must struggle with their own off beat neuroses.

Let The Idea of America take you on a funny, touching and thoroughly entertaining journey as one by one these seemingly mismatched individuals learn once more what it is to be family.

Starring: Michele Hine, Isla Adamson, Andrew Ford, Joel Herbert, Jocelyn Christian and Ciaran Smith.

The universal story of how a modern family copes with the loss of a parent, interweaves with the fantastical world of a stage diva gone mad.

The national tour kicks off at the Basement for six performances only.

Event listed by The Basement

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