ABC: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

The Story:

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is comedy set in gangster America written by Bertolt Brecht in 1941 and follows the life of Arturo Ui as he gradually rises to power by bribing, corrupting, and murdering those standing in his way. It is a parody of the rise of Adolf Hitler.

“The play is not so much an attack on Hitler, but rather upon the complacency of the people who were
able to resist him, but didn’t.” ~Bertolt Brecht

I have only seen The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui one time in performance but it affected me more than any other play I have ever seen. What an adventure and a privilege to tell Brecht’s story with this talented team. Listen to the beautiful language. Enjoy Brecht’s wit and humor. Be scared by its story and its haunting warning of complacency. I have enjoyed the difficult journey to prepare this gem for you. I’m thrilled to have been challenged by such a fantastic role and supported by so many friends and family. It’s been a dream to perform this tale for you; enjoy the ride!
~Toni Butler

Ui performed November 3-13, 2023: 17 actors played 55 roles in this hysterical comedy with a very serious moral!

Cast:

Brigham BennettARTURO UI's BODYGUARD 1/JUDGE PUPPETEER
Brody RirieARTURO UI's BODYGUARD 2/JUDGE PUPPETEER
Cassandra KerrCARUTHER/GROCER OF CHICAGO/THE DEFENSE COUNSEL/GUNMAN
Chelsea FrancisFLAKE/THE ACTOR/THIRD GROCER OF CHICAGO/YOUNG INNA
Dallin RemundGIUSEPPE ('THE FLORIST') GIVOLA, gangster
Emma ThomasBUTCHER/GREENWOOL, a baritone/BETTY DULLFEET
Jack SheehanEMANUELE GIRI, gangster
Kali BlimesOLD DOGSBOROUGH
Logan BinghamTED RAGG, reporter on The Star/FIRST GROCER OF CHICAGO/IGNATIUS DULLFEET, newspaper editor
Lydia ButlerGUNMAN/O'CASEY, chairman of the investigating committee/A WOUNDED WOMAN/COURT PHYSICIAN/THIRD GROCER OF CISCERO
Matthew ZimmermanCLARK/THE PROSECUTOR
Nikki MerrillYOUNG DOGSBOROUGH
Rebekah PriceMULBERRY/DOCKDAISY, Ui's planted witness/GUNMAN/FIRST GROCER OF CICERO
Seth GoldklangGUNMAN/ BOWL, Sheet's treasurer/A LITTLE GIRL/THE DEFENDANT FISH/SHORTY/SECOND GROCER OF CISCERO
Tevan McPeakERNESTO ROMA, his sidekick
Toni ButlerARTURO Ui, gangster boss
Wade FarrrTHE BARKER/SHEET, a shipping tycoon/DOGSBOROUGH'S MANSERVANT/A POLICEMAN/CROCKET, wholesale vegetable merchant/GUNMAN/ PASTOR