"Burning Bush: A Faith-Based Musical" Takes Politics Seriously

New York, NY (PRWEB) August 24, 2005

Even its creative team is hard-pressed to describe "Burning Bush: A Faith Based Musical," which will have its world premiere at the HERE Arts Center in September. Political bloggers Noah Diamond and Amanda Sisk, who wrote and directed the show, describe it alternately as "political vaudeville," "a live, satirical documentary," and, of course, "a faith-based musical." Whatever it may be, "Burning Bush" will debut in a limited engagement at HERE, 145 Sixth Avenue (between Spring and Broome), on September 15, 16, and 17 at 8:30 pm. Tickets, $15, go on sale this week and will be available from SmartTix, (212) 868-4444 or smarttix.com.

Diamond and Sisk, who produced last year's Republican Convention satire "City Under Siege" and the daily blog Nero Fiddled (noahdiamond.com/nerofiddled), insist that their latest creation is both comedic and substantive. "It's very funny," Diamond promises, "but the points it makes are serious. Hopefully, the laughs are cathartic."

"Burning Bush" reflects the growing prominence of political blogs, which in recent years have become a significant part of the national conversation. Some of the material in the script is taken directly from Nero Fiddled, and Mr. Diamond's Narrator, he says, "speaks in the voice of my articles." According to its authors, "Burning Bush" is the first musical based on a blog.

They say the piece is "not just a spoof," citing its researched approach to 9/11, the elections, the Iraq war, and the role of religion in politics. (The climactic sequence includes a confrontation in the Oval Office between Bush and Jesus.) The playbill will refer readers to activist groups, blogs, and a website which provides notes and sources for the show. "A lot of Bush's dialogue," Diamond says, "is taken from things he's actually said, but they certainly sound like jokes." We also meet Bush's father, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, and Vice President Cheney – referred to as "The Creature."

And what about those rubber frogs? "It seems that when our president was a child," Ms. Sisk explains, "he tortured frogs. This was in the New York Times. We think it's a key to his psychosis, and a great idea for a musical number." The ten songs, accompanied by members of the rock band Death Mask, include titles such as "On the March," "Jesus's Jihad" and "Alberto Gonzales, You're Torturing Me!"

Diamond and Sisk believe that their show is something special. "The audience can decide if it's good or not," Sisk allows, "but it is a different kind of experience. I don't know of anything which deals with politics quite like this." Diamond jokes that the production is "rigidly nonpartisan," but it's clear that their take on the Bush presidency is a disapproving one. According to a recent entry on the Nero Fiddled blog, "Burning Bush" is "the funniest musical ever to demand the impeachment of a terrorist dictator."

About the Show:

Starring Amanda Sisk, Corey Moosa, Ellie Dvorkin, Kim Moscaritolo, Noah Diamond, and Brian Hoffman as George W. Bush. The band: Mike Biskup, Drew Brady, Steve Dans, and Boris Veysman. Written and directed by Noah Diamond and Amanda Sisk.

About HERE:

Since 1993, HERE has been one of New York's most prolific producing organizations, and today, it houses New York's most daring and unique theatre, art, music, and dance in its recently purchased facility. Previous works originally produced by HERE include Trey Lyford & Geoff Sobelle's Drama-Desk nominated "all wear bowlers," Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues," Basil Twist's "Symphonie Fantastique," the inaugural production of the Dream Music Puppetry Program, Camryn Manheim's "Wake Up! I'm Fat" and original musical and dance works created and directed by Kristin Marting. HERE supports the work of artists at all stages in their careers through full productions, artist residency programs, festivals, and subsidized performance and rehearsal space. All work at HERE is curated based on the strength and uniqueness of the artist's vision. This production is being presented through HERE's Supported Artist Program, which provides artists with subsidized space, as well as technical and administrative support. For more information, visit here.org.

###