Philadelphia Theatre Company Presents "This Is Not Normal"

Daisey’s performances are part of PTC’s 2017-2018 festival-style theatre season that includes plays, music, comedy and political commentary. Daisey is the third national voice at PTC this fall, following NPR’s Bob Garfield and Golden Globe Winner Kathleen Turner. Normal and Journalism will take place at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale for $25-$69 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.

MikeDaisey, hailed by The New York Times as “one of the finest solo performers of his generation,” returns to Philadelphia on the anniversary of the 2016 Presidential election with two monologues that skewer the political state of affairs in the United States.

“Mike was the first artist I called when we decided to change things up this year,” said Price. “His singular, bracing take on what is happening in our world becomes thoughtful, challenging extemporaneous theatre, and Philadelphians are ready for it. Mike extrapolates from his many personal stories and investigations to offer a perspective that resonates nationally. I saw him at The Town Hall in New York last fall, and knew that whoever won the election, I wanted to see his follow up.  At a time when so many of my new friends in Philadelphia are grappling with the current head-swiveling state of the country, I feel that he’ll bring a sense of order to our chaos.  Or at least give vent to our collective angst.”

This is Not Normal is the direct follow-up to his critically acclaimed hit The Trump Card. Daisey addresses the precariousness of our current moment by examining the rise of autocracy and right-wing nationalism across the globe.

From Putin’s Russia to Berlusconi's Italy, from Le Pen in France to Trumpism here at home, Daisey crafts a portrait of the global and cultural forces that have helped lead America into the hands of a demagogue—and explains the push toward normalization from the left and right that always accompanies the rise of strongmen. Part instruction guide, part historical warning, and part dark comedy, Daisey addresses the fever gripping all of us, and how quickly that fever can become fascism.

FULL PERFORMANCE AND EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 9 at 8:00pm, This Is Not Normal
Friday, November 10 at 8:00pm, The End of Journalism
Saturday, November 11 at 3:00pm, This Is Not Normal
Saturday, November 11 at 6:00pm, Journalists Weigh In - a Discussion
Saturday, November 11 at 8:00pm, The End of Journalism