Gross National Product (comedy group)
| Gross National Product | |
|---|---|
| Medium | theatre |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1980–2021 |
| 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] 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."[2][3][4]
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.”[5]
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).[6]
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.
References
- ^ https://rollcall.com/2011/01/21/the-stage-is-alive-with-the-sound-of-palin/
- ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/tours/scandal/gnpscand.htm
- ^ https://www.theatermania.com/shows/new-york-city-theater/son-of-a-bush_107408/
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/06/travel/the-capital-convenes-after-dark.html
- ^ https://rollcall.com/2011/01/21/the-stage-is-alive-with-the-sound-of-palin/
- ^ https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/beltway-humor-in-san-francisco-gross-national-3008321.php