This is Not Another Campaign Email: Just a list of amazing plays (about politics) that everyone should read!

By Zach Dulli, The Scene

You know that feeling when your phone buzzes for the tenth time in an hour, and it’s yet another politician asking for a “small” donation? Yeah, me too. It’s like we’re trapped in this endless loop of campaign texts and emails, each one more urgent than the last. But what if we hit pause on the political noise for a second and redirected our attention to something a bit more… engaging?

Growing up in the Washington DC area, politics wasn’t just the evening news—it was the backdrop of everyday life. But it wasn’t the policy debates or the election cycles that hooked me; it was the stories of the people behind the podiums. The human beings wrestling with ambition, ethics, power, truth, love, and loss. That’s why my favorite TV show is still The West Wing (with Veep as a close second), and my go-to movie is All the President’s Men. These stories peel back the layers of political personas to reveal the flawed, fascinating individuals at their core.

So, while many folks shy away from anything labeled “political,” I dive in headfirst. Not because I’m a glutton for C-SPAN reruns but because these narratives offer invaluable insights into our history and the people who shape our world. And guess what? There’s a treasure trove of political drama waiting for you in the theater.

But don’t worry—this isn’t about Tuesday’s election. I promise there won’t be a quiz on policy positions or a pitch for campaign contributions. This is about storytelling at its finest—stories that just so happen to unfold in the corridors of power. Here are some of my favorite plays about politics that deserve your attention.

All the Way by Robert Schenkkan

• The Story: November 1963. An assassin’s bullet catapults Lyndon Baines Johnson into the presidency. LBJ, a Texan with ambition the size of his home state, is determined to pass the Civil Rights Act—a contentious issue threatening to tear the nation apart. Schenkkan’s All the Way is a high-stakes exploration of power, morality, and the cost of getting things done. It’s not personal; it’s just politics.
• Why It Matters: Why It’s Awesome: Winner of the 2014 Tony Award® for Best Play, All the Way was so compelling that it was adapted into a 2016 HBO film. Bryan Cranston reprised his Tony-winning role as LBJ, joined by a stellar cast that included Melissa Leo as Lady Bird Johnson and Anthony Mackie as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This play doesn’t just recount history—it humanizes a president navigating one of America’s most tumultuous times.
• All the Way

Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan

• The Story: British talk show host David Frost is desperate for a comeback, and former President Richard Nixon is equally eager to rehab his image post-Watergate. Frost/Nixon chronicles the televised interviews that became a battleground for redemption and legacy. It’s a masterclass in dialogue and psychological chess, proving that sometimes the most intense showdowns don’t happen on battlefields but in armchairs under studio lights.
• Why It’s Awesome: Peter Morgan, also known for creating Netflix’s The Crown, delivers a gripping narrative that blurs the line between interviewer and interrogator. The play was so impactful it was adapted into an acclaimed film. It’s a testament to how personal ambition and public image collide in spectacular fashion.
• Frost/Nixon

Farragut North by Beau Willimon

• The Story: Meet Stephen Bellamy, a wunderkind press secretary navigating the treacherous waters of a presidential primary. He’s got ambition, talent, and a career that men twice his age would envy. But in the cutthroat arena of politics, even the brightest stars can implode. Farragut North is a timely tale about the lust for power and the costs one will endure to achieve it.
• Why It’s Awesome: Beau Willimon, who created Netflix’s House of Cards, brings insider knowledge to this sharp narrative. The play was adapted into the film The Ides of March, featuring heavyweights like Ryan Gosling and George Clooney. Fun fact: when I lived in D.C., Farragut North was my Metro stop on the way to work. Talk about life imitating art!
• Farragut North

An American Daughter by Wendy Wasserstein

• The Story: Dr. Lyssa Dent Hughes is on the brink of becoming a Cabinet secretary when a past indiscretion threatens her nomination. Set against the backdrop of D.C.’s political landscape, the play delves into the personal and public fallout that ensues when private lives become front-page news. It’s a poignant look at gender, media frenzy, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of public service.
• Why It’s Awesome: I first saw this play as it closed out the Arena Stage’s 2002-03 season, directed by the phenomenal Molly Smith. The play’s exploration of personal ethics versus public perception remains incredibly relevant. It was also the only time I met the late, great Wendy Wasserstein.
• An American Daughter

Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola

• The Story: Ever wondered what happens when you mix historical figures with absurdist comedy? Oh, Mary! is a spoof featuring Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln like you’ve never imagined. Mary dreams of vaudeville stardom, while Abe grapples with hidden facets of his identity—all set in the days leading up to that fateful night at Ford’s Theatre.
• Why It’s Awesome: Cole Escola’s creation opened on Broadway to universal acclaim, being hailed as “silly, nasty, tasteless and, in the end, good theater.” Critics praised its ability to stretch a “stupid joke” to its limits, leaving audiences in stitches. It’s one of those rare gems that combines campy humor with sharp wit, reminding us that even historical icons had personal lives full of untold stories. While it’s not a play to look at for historical accuracy, it is one of the funniest plays to come to Broadway in a long time!
• Oh, Mary! | Buy the Play

Fatherland conceived by Stephen Sachs

• The Story: Fatherland tells the gripping true story of an eighteen-year-old who turns his father into the FBI due to his dad’s involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Fast-paced and emotionally charged, the play unfolds verbatim from official court transcripts, case evidence, and public statements.
• Why It’s Awesome: Currently playing off-Broadway until November 10th, this production is a powerful exploration of family, loyalty, and the complex web of personal and political beliefs. If you’re in New York, see it before it closes. The immediacy and relevance of Fatherland make it a standout in contemporary political documentary theatre.
• Fatherland

But wait, there’s more. While those are a few of my personal favorites, the world of political theatre is vast and rich, filled with stories that challenge, inspire, and provoke. Here are 36 other titles that also deserve your attention. These plays offer diverse perspectives on historical events and figures, challenging us to think critically about the political landscape and the human condition.

1. 46 Plays For 46 Presidents by Karen Weinberg, Chloe Johnston, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, and Andy Bayiates
2. 46 Plays for America’s First Ladies by Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sharon Greene, Chloe Johnston, Bilal Dardai, and Andy Bayiates
3. Abe Lincoln in Illinois by Robert E. Sherwood
4. Angels in America by Tony Kushner
5. Ann by Holland Taylor
6. The Best Man by Gore Vidal
7. Building the Wall by Robert Schenkkan
8. Checkers by Douglas McGrath
9. Confidence (and The Speech) by Susan Lambert Hatem
10. The Conscientious Objector by Michael Murphy
11. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
12. Daisy by Sean Devine
13. An Enemy of the People by Arthur Miller, based on the play by Henrik Ibsen
14. The Great Society by Robert Schenkkan
15. Hillary and Clinton by Lucas Hnath
16. Hillary: A Modern Greek Tragedy with a (Somewhat) Happy Ending by Wendy Weiner
17. House Arrest by Anna Deavere Smith
18. Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
19. JQA by Aaron Posner
20. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
21. King Charles III by Mike Bartlett
22. The Manchurian Candidate by John Lahr
23. My Buddy Bill by Rick Cleveland
24. Nixon’s Nixon by Russell Lees
25. Our Man in Santiago by Mark Wilding
26. The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson
27. RFK by Jack Holmes
28. Richard III by William Shakespeare
29. Stuff Happens by David Hare
30. Sunrise at Campobello by Dore Schary
31. Top Girls by Caryl Churchill
32. The Tug of War by David Rambo
33. Voice of Good Hope by Kristine Thatcher
34. Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets
35. What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck
36. When Monica Met Hillary by Winter Miller

So, there you have it—a curated list of political plays that are anything but dry legislative debates. They’re narratives filled with passion, intrigue, humor, and heart. They remind us that behind every policy and headline, there’s a human story worth telling.

Next time you’re tempted to toss your phone out the window after the umpteenth campaign text, consider diving into one of these plays instead. Trust me, they’re far more entertaining than any fundraising pitch you’ll ever receive.

Finally, don’t forget to vote. Theatre inspires reflection, but action drives change. At the end of the day, the stories of tomorrow are written based on the choices we make today.