The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance presents “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” running Sept. 24-27 and Sept. 30-Oct. 4 in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center.
One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. “POTUS” was written by Selina Fillinger and debuted on Broadway in 2022, earning three Tony® Award nominations.
Cathy O’Dell, a teaching professor in the WVU School of Theatre and Dance, will direct WVU’s production of this riotous comedy that looks at a day in the lives of the women in the president’s inner circle who work to create calm out of chaos.
“It’s not just a comedy—it’s a farce,” said O’Dell. “There’s a lot of physical comedy and crazy antics, and it’s a great show for people to come have a good laugh.”
Fillinger’s play looks at what it means to be a woman supporting a man—any man—in the highest office in the United States, and what it takes to be a woman in politics. While the character of the president is central to the story, he never appears on stage. The all-female cast fills the roles of the president’s wife, sister, and mistress, as well as his press secretary, personal secretary, chief of staff, and a journalist.
“‘POTUS’ deals with femininity and the role of women, but it also takes a wider look at what goes on in the world politically and socially, all while delivering big-belly laughs,” said O’Dell.
“POTUS” runs Sept. 24-26 and Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased online at go.wvu.edu/potus, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or in person at the box office located in the main lobby of the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Find the WVU School of Theatre and Dance on social media for behind-the-scenes footage and extra content from POTUS and all of this year’s productions.