It's in the Bag
created and directed by Rachel Gita Karp
from George Burns and Gracie Allen's "Hinds Honey and Almond Cream Program," its "Gracie for President" prank campaign, and the real campaigns of the many women who have aspired to become President of the United States
Carnegie Mellon University - Spring 2019
selected for the 2020 Valdez Theatre Conference
developed through residencies at Irondale, Town Stages, and Barn Arts and through a fellowship at the Margaret Chase Smith Library
GEORGE: Gracie, coming down to the studio today I saw a big banner saying, “Send Gracie to Washington.” What does this mean?
GRACIE: Well, George, I’ll let you in on a secret. I’m running for president.
GEORGE: But in the entire history of the United States, there’s never been a woman president.
GRACIE: Yeah, isn’t that exciting? I’ll be the first one.
In 1940, a famous comedienne by the name of Gracie led one of the greatest radio pranks of all time: a “run” for president of the United States. It’s in the Bag puts together the highs from Gracie’s prank campaign with the highs and lows from the dozens of real campaigns women have run for U.S. president. Old Time Radio soundstage magic, classic and contemporary misogyny, and 150 years of political noise combine to ask: how long will a woman becoming president be just a joke?
