CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As the world watches the start of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Chicago will debut a new play about America's first female Speaker of the House.
"The entire time I've been working on this piece, I've been trying to catch up with history," laughed Bill McMahon, author, "The Adult in the Room, Nancy Pelosi in the House".
McMahon said the timing of his new show is impeccable.
"This came to us about a year ago. My producer suggested a one woman show about Nancy Pelosi. I just dove in. I started research, read her autobiography. It's been challenging, because history keeps unfolding. The ending keeps on changing," he laughed. "We fast tracked this show when we saw what was happening on the national stage."
The timely show will star the Broadway actress Orlagh Cassidy, as the California democrat. Directed by Heather Arnson and Conor Bagley, the project is produced by the Broadway and TV producers Jim Kierstead, Linda Karn and William Fernandez.
McMahon said the one woman show not only tells Pelosi's story, but delves into today's heated political climate.
"She was 47 before she ran for anything, but she comes from a political background. Her father was a five time Congressman. She had five brothers, she was the only girl. It's kind of like her life story in terms of like going from a wife and mother to the powerful speaker she is today," McMahon said. "It's not all heavy drama though, there's humor and it's touching. It's her journey."
Performances at the Victory Gardens Theater run Jan. 22 through Feb. 15.
