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POTUS

  • Credits

    By Selina Fillinger
    Directed by Margot Bordelon

  • Location

    Fichandler Stage

  • Run Time

    Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes including an 15-minute intermission

  • Program
"The votes have been tabulated. 'POtus' at arena stage is a winner." 

— The Washington Post

When the Commander-in-Chief publicly calls his wife a “See You Next Tuesday,” all H-E-Double Hockey Sticks breaks loose. In a searingly funny Broadway hit, POTUS follows how seven women of dramatically different backgrounds minimize the damage done by male arrogance and political posturing, in an endearing homage to the women who keep things running behind the scenes. 

POTUS is made possible by a generous gift from Beth Newburger Schwartz, made in honor and welcome of Hana S. Sharif as Arena Stage’s new Artistic Director. Additional support is provided by Sheila Stampfli.
Arena Stage offers this production in memory of generous patron and longtime volunteer, Naomi Horowitz.

Please be aware that this comedy contains mature themes and very strong language.

Cast

NAOMI JACOBSON

Harriet

NATALYA LYNETTE RATHNAM

Jean

MEGAN HILL

Stephanie

FELICIA CURRY

Margaret

YESENIA IGLESIAS

Chris

SARAH-ANNE MARTINEZ

Dusty

KELLY McANDREW

Bernadette / Fight Captain

JANET GREER

u/s Harriet/Bernadette

PEREGRINE TENG HEARD

u/s Jean/Stephanie

JASMINE JOY

u/s Margaret/Chris/Dusty

Creative

SELINA FILLINGER

Playwright

MARGOT BORDELON

Director

REID THOMPSON

Set Designer

IVANIA STACK

Costume Designer

MARIKA KENT

Lighting Designer

SINAN REFIK ZAFAR

Original Music and Sound Design

TOMMY KURZMAN

Wig and Hair Designer

LISA NATHANS

Dialect and Vocal Coach

OTIS RAMSEY-ZÖE

Dramaturg

JOSEPH PINZON

Casting Director

KELLY GILLESPIE, CSA

New York Casting

CHRISTI B. SPANN

Stage Manager

DAYNE SUNDMAN

Assistant Stage Manager

Photos

Felicia Curry (Margaret) and Yesenia Iglesias (Chris) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette), Felicia Curry (Margaret), Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty), Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean), and Naomi Jacobson (Harriet) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Felicia Curry (Margaret), Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty), Naomi Jacobson (Harriet), and Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty), Felicia Curry (Margaret), Yesenia Iglesias (Chris), Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean), and Naomi Jacobson (Harriet) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Naomi Jacobson (Harriet) and Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette) and Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty) and Megan Hill (Stephanie) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty) and Megan Hill (Stephanie) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Felicia Curry (Margaret) and Yesenia Iglesias (Chris) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Felicia Curry (Margaret) and Megan Hill (Stephanie) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Yesenia Iglesias (Chris) and Felicia Curry (Margaret) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette), Megan Hill (Stephanie), Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty), Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean), Felicia Curry (Margaret), Yesenia Iglesias (Chris), and Naomi Jacobson (Harriet) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette), Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean), Yesenia Iglesias (Chris), Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty), and Felicia Curry (Margaret) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Sarah-Anne Martinez (Dusty), Felicia Curry (Margaret), Naomi Jacobson (Harriet), Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette), and Yesenia Iglesias (Chris) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Naomi Jacobson (Harriet) and Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Kelly McAndrew (Bernadette), Yesenia Iglesias (Chris), and Megan Hill (Stephanie) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
Natalya Lynette Rathnam (Jean), Megan Hill (Stephanie), Naomi Jacobson (Harriet), and Yesenia Iglesias (Chris) in "POTUS" at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater running October 13 through November 12. Photo by Kian McKellar.
The set of "POTUS" designed by Reid Thompson running October 13 through November 12 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Kian McKellar.

Videos

Special Performance Notes

Chucks and Pearls Night
Ring in Vice President Kamala Harris’ birthday! Pair Converse sneakers with your favorite pearls, and receive a complimentary drink.
Friday, October 20, at 8 p.m.

Pantsuit Night
Celebrate Hillary Clinton’s birthday with her signature look. Don your fiercest pantsuit, and receive a complimentary drink.
Thursday, October 26, at 8 p.m.

Halloween Night
Join us on Halloween night for an unforgettable costume-encouraged performance topped off with delightful sweet treats!
Tuesday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m.

Trivia with District Trivia
Are you a D.C. and White House history buff? Compete in a post-matinee trivia contest to win some presidential-level prizes.
Saturday, November 4, at 2 p.m.

Weekday Matinees
Thursday, October 26, at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, November 1, at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, November 8, at 12 p.m.

Early Curtain
Sunday, November 5, at 6 p.m.

Southwest Nights
Sunday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 10, at 8 p.m.

Post-Show Conversations
Tuesday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 26, at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, November 1, at 12 p.m.
Thursday, November 2, at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, November 8, at 12 p.m.

Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, October 28, at 2 p.m.

ASL-Interpreted Performance
Saturday, November 11, at 8 p.m.

Mask-Required Performances
Sunday, October 22, at 2 p.m.
Saturday, November 4, at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, November 8, at 12 p.m.

POTUS In The News

THE WASHINGTON POST

The votes have been tabulated. ‘POTUS’ at Arena Stage is a winner.

THE WASHINGTON POST

‘POTUS’ playwright talks profanity and the patriarchy

BROADWAYWORLD

“Arena’s production of POTUS is, in a word, outstanding.”

DC THEATER ARTS

Director Margot Bordelon on ‘POTUS,’ the bawdy feminist farce at Arena Stage

GEORGETOWN VOICE

POTUS sucker-punches the patriarchy by pairing profane comedy with sharp social critique

WASHINGTON CITY PAPER

POTUS Is a Madcap Romp With Seven Stars

DC THEATER ARTS

"A rollicking ‘POTUS’ kicks dumbass at Arena Stage"

METRO WEEKLY

Fast on its feet, and furiously funny, Arena's "POTUS" offers a wild time at the White House, powered by women.

A THEATRE-GOER'S THOUGHTS

“the cast is up to the task and never misses a beat”

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Powerful Women Take Center Stage in ‘POTUS’ at Arena Stage

FOX 5 GOOD DAY DC

'POTUS' now playing at Arena Stage

WASHINGTON BLADE

‘POTUS’ a brash, ballsy farce performed by all-female cast

WETA AROUND TOWN BEST BETS

Arena Stage's "POTUS" Just Might Be the Political Catharsis You Need

WTOP

"Of course, performing a political play in the nation’s capital makes it extra special."

 

FAIRFAX TIMES

Get into the spirit of Election Day with “POTUS”

PLAYBILL

Arena Stage Announces Cast and Creative Team for POTUS

BROADWAYWORLD

Photos: First Look at the Cast in Rehearsal For POTUS at Arena Stage

DCIST

11 D.C.-Area Theater Performances We’re Excited For This Fall

WASHINGTON BLADE

Local theater scene prepares for a season to remember

BROADWAYWORLD

Arena Stage Reveals Cast for POTUS

WASHINGTONIAN

10 Musicals and Plays to See in the DC Area This Fall