FREE Staged Reading
​Monday, November 6, 2017 at 7pm
The Hive
20 Cook Street, Brooklyn, NY

On Monday, November 6, Theater in Asylum joins theaters across the country for a staged reading of It Can't Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis and John C. Moffitt, adapted from Sinclair Lewis' famous novel of the same name. Written in 1936, the play tells the story of a populist leader’s rise to power in America, and the country’s subsequent descent into fascism and tyranny.
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Join us for a live reading of the dystopian play that predicted - eighty years ago - the rise of a totalitarian leader in America.

Free of charge. We will be collecting donations at the show, and a portion of all donations will benefit Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief.

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A Nationwide Event

It Can’t Happen Here originally premiered in 1936 with 21 simultaneous productions at theatres nationwide. Over the eighty years since then, people have continued to find relevance in Sinclair Lewis’ story. Now in 2017, a group of theatres from across the country are gathering once again to read It Can’t Happen Here and discuss its meaning in our world today.

The Story

The protagonist of It Can’t Happen Here is Doremus Jessup, the editor of a local liberal paper in a small Vermont town. He and his family can hardly believe that populist, anti-labor, militaristic politician Buzz Windrip could actually win the presidential election. But when he does, they discover just how quickly fascism spreads, violence reigns, and the free press is silenced.

Cast & Creative

Written by Sinclair Lewis and John C. Moffitt
Based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis
Directed by Paul Bedard
Featuring Inés del Castillo, Matt Clemons, Matias Corona, Tony Curtis, Michael Flood, Elise LeBreton, Laris Macario, Katie Palmer, Jonelle Robinson, Zhanah Wyche

Co-Produced with The Back to Work Collective

Get in Touch

Have any questions about the reading? Want to help us out by volunteering or making a donation? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Inés del Castillo

Matt Clemons

Matias Corona

Tony Curtis

Michael Flood

Elise LeBreton

Laris Macario

Katie Palmer

Jonelle Robinson

Zhanah Wyche

Special Thanks

Theater in Asylum and the Back to Work Collective would like to thank Diana Levy, Nicholas Orvis, Shawn Singh, Colleen Hughes, Valeska von Schirmeister, and The Artist Co-op for all their help in making this event happen.

Donate to Unidos por Puerto Rico