One Empire, Under God

About the Project

“…remarkably spot-on…bigger than life…it will be the young who save our democracy…”
-Jan Ewing, Hi! Drama & Pups Books

“(It) is intended to provoke and challenge. That the story is not so far-fetched is the dire warning here.”
-Joe Lombardi, BroadwayWorld & TheatreReviewsFromMySeat

“Ambitious; Relevant; Great acting; Thought-provoking; if you are religious, you’d be very offended!”
-Various users on Show-Score

Set in the far distant future, One Empire, Under God – an epic, dystopian drama in two acts by Anthony J. Piccione (A Therapy Session with Myself, The Kraine Theater; Unaffordably Unhealthy, The Tank) – tells the story of how an emotionally disturbed young man – with the help of virtual media technology – is able to rise to political power by inciting an uprising against America’s openly atheist president, and subverting democratic and military rule throughout Western civilization, paving the way for him and his descendants to rule for generations to come. Every step toward a more perfect union is followed by an enormous reactionary backlash. That historical trend remains very much alive in the future, as seen in this provocative indictment of nationalism, imperialism, and religious extremism.

The live premiere of One Empire, Under God was presented November 11-21, 2021 at The Tank – located at 312 W 36th Street, New York, NY – and was directed by Andrés Gallardo Bustillo. (SDC Member; Director’s Gathering Member)

The production starred Trey Shields as Damian Cunningham, (Romeo & Juliet, London Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts; DEAD HOUSE, Boston Playwrights Theatre) Marc Verzatt as Reverend Ian MacDougal, (Lilies, Off-Broadway at The Theater Center) Sarah Spagnuolo as Jessa Barclay, (Straight, Queer Arts Theatrical; Man Versus Woman, The Players Theatre) Gian Caro as Josh Garcia, (Cyrano de Bergerac, American Musical and Dramatic Academy) J.J. Miller as Darren Cunningham & Joshua Cunningham, (Lilies, Off-Broadway at The Theater Center) Marcus R. Smith as General River Kalvin, (Hugs and Kisses, Episcopal Actors Guild; Johnny, Hudson Guild Theatre) Mary Miles as President Armani Bakali & Senator Jane Harvey, (Sweat, Stella Adler Studio; Sylvia, The Workshop Theatre) Clara Tan as Vice President Zaine Thompson, (Spoon River Anthology, AlphaNYC; Threshold, Sean Surla Productions in Maryland) featuring Sabrina Lopez, (Heathers, Selma Arts Center) Sarah Nowik, (The Wizard of Oz, Rockaway Theatre Company) Michael Paone, (Den of Thieves, Deena Levy Theater Studio) and Demonte Thompson as Pastor Mike. (Sisters on the Ground, American Academy of Dramatic Arts)

For updates on future presentations & adaptations of One Empire, Under God, follow along on Facebook & Instagram @oneempireundergod.