Ronald Reagan Involves Santa Barbara’s Heart Stage Theater to Save the World

Terry Phillips’s new play, Ronald Reagan Saves the World (operating at Heart Stage Theater September 1-10), brings the lifetime of this polarizing former president to the stage. On this one-person present, carried out and directed by Paul Messinger, Reagan considers his life, his varied roles within the public eye, and the privilege of energy. “It’s meant to be entertaining, and it’s meant to be informative,” says Phillips. “It’s meant to convey us just a little nearer collectively on this loopy, divided world of ours.”

From Reagan’s start through the Despair to Vietnam Conflict protests to Iran–Contra, Ronald Reagan Saves the World covers a number of historic floor. “Should you lived via that historical past, there’s so much you’ll keep in mind,” says Messinger. “Should you didn’t, hopefully it’ll make you look it up!”

Messinger, who has a profitable tv profession, usually performs amiable father figures. “I started to see Reagan as a kind-hearted dad,” he says. “He was attempting to take care of the nation one of the best he might. I feel he had some actually dangerous concepts, however I do suppose his coronary heart was in the best place, so I’m coming from it from that angle — doing one of the best I can to deal with the most individuals.”

Whereas this manufacturing has been within the works for a very long time, the Heart Stage run would be the play’s first time on its toes in entrance of an viewers. “I’ve bought an amazing collaborator in Paul,” says Phillips. “And we’ll preserve doing this as we get in entrance of audiences and see how individuals react. As is the case with most types of artwork, it’s a residing factor, so I count on to see it evolve.” In honor of Reagan, who suffered from Alzheimer’s illness, a portion of every night time’s proceeds will profit the Alzheimer’s Affiliation.

For added data and to buy tickets, see centerstagetheater.org.