A popular president faces her first real challenge: a case of accidental hallucinogenic drug use by the vice president while the president is undergoing surgery. Pandemonium breaks out while the White House staff tries to cover for a delusional vice president in the midst of unexpected domestic and international crises. Will the White House cover this up, tell the truth, or do something else?

Characters

President LaFollette (F, 40s-60s). Her gallbladder wasn't up to the job.
Vice President Decatur (M, 40s-50s). Adulterer.
Marcus Towne (M, 30s-50s) (Can also be Mackenzie, F). Chief of Staff.
Barbara (F, 30s-50s). Director of Communications.
Ricard von Harban (M, 30s-50s). Soulless Advisor.
Kelly (F, 20s-30s). Secretary, second week on the job.
Travis/Tricia LaFollette (M/F, teens). President's son. Drug user?
Admiral Fisher (M, 40s-70s). Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Clerk (M/F, any age, can be same actor as Travis).

Original Cast

President LaFollette - Deb Hade
Vice President Decatur - Zach Jones
Marcus - David Dubczak
Barbara - Melissa Powell
Ricard von Harban - Bryce Palm
Kelly - Laura Dubczak
Travis LaFollette - Rico Miller
Admiral Fisher - Michael Stout-Martin
​Clerk - Art Sathoff, Kelly Shaw, Bob Kling, Lynnea Young

Director: David Dubczak
Assistant Director: Lynnea Young
Tech Director: Jim Lindsley

Delusions of Copy - Free Preview

Read the first ten pages for free.

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Delusions of Power - Full Show

Please note: The first 15 minutes have been rewritten since the world premiere performance. See the perusal for the most up to date copy.

Indianola Independent Advocate

Click here for the Independent Advocate review of Delusions of Power

Broadway World

Click here for the Broadway World review of Delusions of Power

The Culture Buzz
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You’re not hallucinating – Carousel Theatre presents world premiere
By John Busbee for The Culture Buzz

It must be something in the water. The creative juices are flowing in this production company, as one of its own has written a comedic romp, filled with a delightful story line and some memorable characters. Delusions of Power is David Dubczak’s work, taking the concept of storytelling to great heights, thanks to Carousel Theatre of Indianola’s willingness to produce this appealing comedy.

Subtitled “Chaos at the Capitol,” Dubczak’s comedy is set in the Oval Office. Gratefully, he writes with a glib gift for situational comedy that is not politically nor party reliant, but instead very much character driven. Delusions of Power follows the short-lived, extended consequences of a moment when the fictional President, Melinda LaFollette, undergoes gall bladder surgery, forcing enactment of the 25th Amendment. Dubczak, sprinkling bits of history lessons throughout his script, reminds the audience of the chain of power in such instances. Through a snarky plot twist, the Vice President, now as acting President, finds a bottle labeled as Tylenol, takes two tablets for his headache, not knowing that the pills were laced with a powerful hallucinogenic. Important decisions must be made concerning a crisis in Turkey and an important education bill. And, “the most powerful person in the world” is flying higher than the space station. Choices are made, even when it appears that no good choices exist. Comedic ethical pandemonium ensues, and the audience is left wondering exactly how this twisted confab will unwind. Yet, unwind it does, carrying the audience to a worthy finale.

Carousel’s cast embraces its roles with enthusiastic aplomb. President Melinda LaFollette – the “drug-fighting president” – radiates in compassionate Commander-in-Chief glory thanks to Deb Hade. Having a woman character for this role gives hope outside this script to a future when a woman will finally achieve that office. In the pivotal VP Oswald Decatur role, Zach Jones brings a quickly unraveling comic ability to his role as the drugs takes hold, and his check on reality comes apart like the rubber bindings inside a split open golf ball. Displaying shades of “Madame Secretary” White House Chief of Staff, Russell Jackson, Dubczak adds performer to his list with this production as Marcus. Melissa Powell brings an earnest, hand-wringing aura to her Communications Advisor Barbara. The sidebar bickering-resolution action between these two provides the vehicle for much mischief from the hallucinating VP. As the incredibly well-connected Advisor, Richard Von Harban, Bryce Palm delivers a flamboyant, bigger-than-life persona. The buttoned-up boy scout, Admiral Fisher, provides an analytical, by-the-book balance thanks to Michael Stout Martin. Interjecting copious amounts of Gen Z attitude as Secretary Kelly is Laura Dubczak, with Rico Miller giving us a believable President’s son, Travis LaFollette. Travis is the catalyst for all the calamity, but no spoilers here. Add a cameo from a local community leader, then get to this fun escape to learn how that first delightful domino falls.

As director, Dubczak’s pacing needs tightening, and the script could use a little more fine-tuning. This show is, however, a fine feather in Carousel’s cap. Nestled in the intimate confines of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Innovations, this set design earns strong praise for such a transformation of an event space into a tiered seating theater. The lessons layered into this script are thoughtfully delivered, without smacking the audience over their head.
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Carousel Theatre of Indianola deserves kudos for their bold choices in programming. Delusions of Power opens a season of bare board fare designed to entice patrons to experience how a community theater can present provocative live theater entertainment. Audiences should relish their role as cultural adventurer as they sally forth to support these efforts. Blissfully, each attending patron will be able to escape all political ads for two glorious hours of fun and fancy. That, alone, is worth the price of admission.


The Culture Buzz theatre reviews are written by professional critics, to inform and enlighten. To receive weekly newsletters, email TheCultureBuzz@gmail.com or visit www.theculturebuzz.com. The Culture Buzz is a weekly broadcast/streaming arts & entertainment show, airing Wednesdays 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Central Time on KFMG 98.9 FM and streaming at www.kfmg.org.