Gross National Product (comedy group)

Last updated

Gross National Product
Medium theatre
NationalityAmerican
Years active1980–2021
Genres Satire
Subject(s) American politics, Washington, D.C., the U.S. federal government
Members over 25
Website GNPcomedy.com

Gross National Product, or GNP was an American political-satire group formed in 1980 and has performed in 45 states with long runs in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, but performed primarily in the Washington, DC area. [1] [2] [3] Show themes changed based on the current political climate and administration, illustrated by such titles as: "Man Without A Contra" (1987); "BushCapades" (1990); "Clintoons" (1992); "A Newt World Order" (1994); "Hell to the Chief"; "Son of a Bush" (2004); and "The Sound of Palin." [4] [5] [6]

Contents

GNP was founded by John Simmons who wrote and directed most of the shows. Simmons said of the writing, "When things change in the news, we change the revue as well. It’s funny because it’s topical.” [7]

For a time in the 1980's, GNP scripts were also written by Josh Weinstein and Bill Oakley who later gained fame working on such shows as The Simpsons , Mission Hill and Futurama .

GNP aired five, half-hour comedy specials on Public Broadcasting, including "Mock the Vote" (1996). [8]

Show titles

YearShow title
1981A Bonzo Christmas Special
1982Gross National Product
19831983 and Counting
1984Terms of Endorsement
1985Phantom of the White House
1987Man Without a Contra
1988BushCapades
1992Clintoons
1994A Newt World Order
1996GNP: On the Dole
1997Sex, Lies, and Zippergate
1999Hell to the Chief
2000Gore More Years
2001Son of a Bush
2004Kerry the Vote
2005To Bush or Not to Bush
2006Son of a Bush
2010Don't Tea on Me
2011The Sound of Palin
2013ScandalPedia
2018Trumped!
2021Biden Time

GNP alumni

Over the years, GNP has involved the talents of Robin Abb, Kevin Brown, Ron Butler, Doug Cox, Larry Coven, Sarah Delea, Brad Dismukes, Liz Demery, John Dryden, Shari Elliker, Dion Flynn, Elliott Forrest, Bob Garman, Tim Gore, Robert W. Heck, Ed Henley, Wes Johnson, Scott Keck, Bill Lobley, Richard "Scrumbly" Koldewyn, Chuck Kovacic, CiCi Stephens, Bill Largess, John Moody, John Hardison, Emlyn Morinelli McFarland, Terri Madden, Tim Mollen, Nick Olcott, Joel Perry, Christopher Pray, Tim Rankin, Melissa Rauch, John Roarke, Kara Russel, Stephen Schmidt, Ken Star, Victor Steele, Vanessa Stout, Christine Thompson, Bruce Tobin, Erica Van Wagener, Pam Woodruff, Wendy Yondorf.

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References

  1. "The Stage is Alive with 'The Sound of Palin'". January 21, 2011.
  2. "Gore More Years or Son of a Bush on Los Angeles: Get Tickets Now! | Theatermania - 5991". March 7, 2023.
  3. "Son of a Bush on New York City: Get Tickets Now! | Theatermania - 107408". March 8, 2023.
  4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/tours/scandal/gnpscand.htm
  5. "Son of a Bush on New York City: Get Tickets Now! | Theatermania - 107408". March 8, 2023.
  6. Gamarekian, Barbara (October 6, 1991). "The Capital Convenes After Dark". The New York Times.
  7. "The Stage is Alive with 'The Sound of Palin'". January 21, 2011.
  8. https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/beltway-humor-in-san-francisco-gross-national-3008321.php