- Title: Trump, Clinton parodied in new musical about Iowa caucus
- Date: 31st January 2016
- Summary: RONALD BLUNT SINGS "I DECLARE" AND WALKS OFF STAGE
- Embargoed: 15th February 2016 02:56
- Keywords: musical Caucus theater Iowa elections
- Location: DES MOINES, IOWA, UNITED STATES
- City: DES MOINES, IOWA, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA009428S4ZR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Des Moines' 'Caucus! The Musical' is a farcical portrait of the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses, the presidential candidates, media frenzy and Iowa.
Although the characters are said to not be modeled on any particular candidate, producer Robert John Ford acknowledges that they do embody many personality traits and physical features of current and past candidates.
Ronald Blunt for example - a loud and often politically incorrect character, bears a physical resemblance to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Actor Gregory Millar said his lips hurt by the end of the performance, but he loves playing the role.
"I get to say some lines that - many are based on things that were actually said by Mr. Donald Trump. Some of which weren't actually said by him but are very humorous and the fact that he doesn't understand sometimes what he's saying and gets to offend people. It's a great role. I get to offend people and I don't do that in real life," said actor Gregory Millar.
The musical storyline unfolds at Des Moines Performing Arts' Stoner Theater, but creator and producer Robert John Ford said "it reflects everything that is happening" in the state of Iowa around this time of year.
"'Caucus! The Musical' is an irreverent but comedic look at the first in the nation Iowa caucuses and how this undersized state plays such an oversized role in the presidential election process," said Robert John Ford.
He said his musical has received a lot of laughs since it first came on the scene in 2004. This year, said Ford, shows have been selling out in advance.
He said the show, as well as the characters, change slightly through-out the years to remain topical.
This year, Ford said, they added a fifth candidate to the mix because "there is a larger than life candidate in the real race and we thought that has changed the tone so much in reality."
Actress Susan Grozier said her character is a "compilation of Hillary Clinton and some Roosevelt in there." According to Grozier, 'Eleanor Jefferson' starts out gracious and normal but turns a little wacky by the end.
It all boils down to, as the producer put it, the "absurdity" of the Iowa caucuses and everything that surrounds it.
"It's such an exciting process. In no way am I trying to make fun of the process itself but everything that leads up to it just gets more and more absurd and surreal," said Ford.
'Caucus! The Musical' has performances in Des Moines throughout the month, ending on February 6. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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