AISLE SAY Philadelphia

COLIN QUINN: UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Written and Performed by Colin Quinn
Directed by Rebecca A. Trent
Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre
480 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
For Tickets call the PTC Box Office: 215-985-0420
Playing now through July 6, 2014

Reviewed by Claudia Perry

Colin Quinn is currently at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre with his new show, Unconstitutional. This one man show written and performed by Quinn originally ran Off-Broadway at the Barrow Theatre and then transferred for an extended run to the Cherry Lane Theatre. In a 70 minute non-stop diatribe, Quinn tackles our dysfunctional Congress, guns, immigration and other topical issues through the prism of 226 years of Constitutional calamities. The evening is a satirical look at what our Founding Fathers were really up to. But Quinn’s message throughout the evening is that the original philosophy laid down in this four page document still stands today. Almost every American still believes in the essential components of this amazing decree which make up our basic rule of law in this country.

Quinn stands or should I say hunches on the stage like a caged tiger. He speaks in rapid fire phrases, sometimes not finishing his sentences. He is the embodiment of the savvy, street smart New Yorker. But though he is a regular guy, he has an irregular slant on the world. With insights such as the fact that the Continental Congress had giant punchbowls full of liquor from which the creators of the constitution would sup all day long to the arresting of Reese Witherspoon, who though intoxicated still knew her “constitutional rights”, Quinn is totally entertaining.

Quinn’s previous one man show, Long Story Short which ran on Broadway, earned him a Drama Desk Award and an Emmy nomination for its film adaptation. His first one man show, Sanctifying Grace

which opened Off-Broadway, later moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre as Colin Quinn -- An Irish Wake. As creator and executive producer of Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn he also served as the show’s host from 2002 – 2004.

Quinn plans to take his show on a tour of the 13 colonies. So Pennsylvania, we’re one of the lucky ones.

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