It Can’t Happen Here

Guilford Center Stage announces its fall production: a staged reading of “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis. There will be three performances October 18-20 at Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford, Vermont.

Todd Mandell and Richard Wizansky will direct a cast of 11 community actors in this adaptation for the stage by Tony Taccone and Bennett S. Cohen.

In keeping with its mission to present works which are place-based, the producers chose this work both for its topical theme and because Sinclair Lewis was living in Vermont when he wrote the book in 1935, and the setting is a fictional Vermont town.

Set against the backdrop of the rise of fascism in Europe during the 1930’s, the play describes the rise of Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip, a demagogue who is elected President of the United States, after fomenting fear and promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and “traditional” values. A growing number of Americans during the 1930’s began to ask the question of whether what was happening in Europe could “happen here?”

Performances are Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 pm. The Friday show is a benefit for Broad Brook Community Center.

The Community Center is located at 3940 Guilford Center Road. Although the entrance to the first floor and restrooms are now fully accessible, the theater is up a flight of stairs at present.

Advance tickets are now available, and are the method used to purchase tickets using a credit card. General Admission by cash or check is $12 at the door. For advance tickets visit brownpapertickets at: bpt.me/4058965 or by calling 800-838-3006. More abou