Democracy Sucks Program

Good Works Productions, John Fico & John D. FitzGibbon Presents

DEMOCRACY SUCKS Written by Monica Bauer

Directed by John D. FitzGibbon featuring John Fico

Presented as part of 59E59 Theaters’ EAST TO EDINBURGH GOES VIRTUAL

JOHN FICO PROFESSOR B John Fico (He/Him) is an actor and voice over artist in NYC. He won the 2017 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Comedy for his role in Monica Bauer’s ANNE FRANK IN THE GAZA STRIP after several years of festival engagements in Monica Bauer’s MADE FOR EACH OTHER (NYC: East-toEdinburgh, EAT’s One Man Talking , United Solo, Left Out, Planet Connection 2010 (Nominated: Outstanding Actor in a Solo Show), Edinburgh Fringe, Orlando Fringe, Boulder Fringe, Tucson Solo.) Notable NYC credits: AS I LAY DYING (Live Source) A. R. Gurney’s SCREEN PLAY (Flea Theater), IRON CURTAIN (Prospect Theatre, Off Broadway), THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING YOU EVER HOID (2010 NYMF – winner Outstanding Ensemble Performance), A STOOP ON

ORCHARD STREET (Mazur Theater), THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF KHALID AMIR (2008 MITF, Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actor), PINK ELEPHANTS - THE MUSICAL (Slipper Room), & several editions of STICKY! (Bowery Poetry Club). TV & Web Series: The Blacklist, I Love You But I Lied, The Outs.

MONICA BAUER Playwright Monica Bauer (she, hers) graduate of Boston Univ.

Graduate Program in Playwriting. Selected credits, New York, regional, and international: VIVIAN’S MUSIC 1969 (Edinburgh Fringe, Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters, Anacostia Playhouse (nominated for Helen Hayes Award as Best

Visiting Production in Washington, DC); TWO MWN WALK INTO A BAR (Dream Up Festival, Theater for the New City), MY OCCASSION OF SIN (Urban Stages, Detroit Rep: Urban Stages Emerging Playwright Award); MADE FOR EACH OTHER (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, United Solo, Orlando Fringe, Boulder Fringe, Hollywood Fringe (Best Solo Show); CHOSEN CHILD (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre: nominated, Best New Play, Independent Reviewers of New England.

Winner, Bechdel Test Festival, Bridge Initiative for Women in Theater); THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF KHALID AMIR (Midtown International Theater Festival: Best New Script), THE MATERNAL INSTINCT (Midtown International Theater Festival, Finalist for New South Writing Prize, Brighton Fringe Festival. Publications include “Vivian’s Music, 1969” (Original Works Publishing) and the upcoming “Three Men With Guns” included in The Best New Ten Minute Plays, 2021, edited by Lawrence Harbison for Applause Books. Proud member of the Dramatists Guild. Full production history, awards, and publications at www. monicabauer.com

JOHN D. FITZGIBBON DIRECTOR John D. FitzGibbon (he/his) directed John Fico in MADE FOR EACH OTHER for the One Man Talking Festival, and for the Planet Connections Festivity NYC (nominated, Best Solo Show). At the Edinburgh Festival, it garnered rave reviews both in 2012 and 2013. This summer he directed Ms. Bauer’s DEMOCRACY SUCKS! for the 2020 Edinburgh Virtual Free Fringe Festival also starring John Fico. He directed the workshop production of Monica Bauer’s TWO MEN WALKED INTO A BAR for the Dream Up Festival at Theatre For The New City. For NJRep’s Theatre Brut Festivals, he has directed one-act plays by Robin Rice Lichtig (SAVE THE TURKEY, LIFE 101, and ADAPT OR DIE), Jacob T. Zack (VERISIMILITUDE and ZOO THEORY) and John Weagly (SPOTANEOUS CLOWBUSTION). As an actor, he received a Best of Boston Award for MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN (Jim Tyrone); a Carbonell Nomination for SIGHT UNSEEN (Nick); and an OBIE nomination for CAT AND THE MOON (lame beggar). Most recently he did two national tours as “Saint Peter” in the FPA production of THE TRIAL OF MARTIN LUTHER.

He is a proud company member of New Jersey Repertory Company where he has originated roles in 12 new plays. He is also a pianist and composer - CD: Reflections.

STATIC is part of 59E59 Theaters PLAYS IN PLACE season of virtual events. 59E59 Theaters was established by the Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation in 2004 to grant professional space and expertise to nonprofit theater companies premiering their work in New York City. Under the leadership of Val Day, Artistic Director, and Brian Beirne, Managing Director, 59E59 Theaters presents a year-round curated program of Off Broadway plays and musicals that are nurtured and supported through highly-subsidized rental rates, as well as production, ticketing, FOH, marketing, and press support.