This Broadway show emphasized just how much We need a female ‘POTUS’

by Jenna Clark, Guest Editorial

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I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to see “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” written by Selina Fillinger during its time on Broadway. Although the show was only a limited-run show for about three and a half months, I am sure that it made thousands of other people laugh as I did. I had never laughed as much at a Broadway show as I did at this one. 

This play follows the story of what happens when a President of the United States winds up in a public relations crisis and his team of seven women: Chris (Lilli Cooper), Bernadette (Lea DeLaria), Stephanie (Rachel Dratch), Dusty (Julianne Hough), Jean (Suzy Nakamura), Harriet (Julie White), and Margaret (Vanessa Williams) are routinely taken for granted and have to constantly work together to save him from the consequences of his actions without the proper recognition they deserve. 

I think I was largely attracted to this show because of its cast. It is not every day that I see a Broadway show with only seven female on-stage performers.

Although this play was short and sweet, with a running time of an hour and fifty minutes, including the intermission, it was long enough to convey that women are intelligent, resourceful, powerful, and deserve to be acknowledged for the great work they do. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face with Julianne Hough portraying the role ‘Dusty.’ This was the first time I ever saw her act. I had only been familiar with her work from ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ but I thought she did a great job and appreciated the element of dance she brought to the show. 

I liked that this show was a comedy since the subject matter was heavy. I think the regular comedic elements throughout worked to better translate some of the important key messages.

I appreciate how many social issues this show addressed, from LGBTQ+ marriage to abortion rights. I also happened to see this show a couple of days after the overturning of Roe v. Wade which was very impactful, especially when Julianne Hough’s character made a statement about the importance of reproductive rights for all. 

I always enjoy plays more when they mean something to people, and this play definitely meant something to me.