By Sarah Burgess

SC 55th Season • 522nd Production SEGERSTROM STAGE / OCTOBER 13 - NOVEMBER 10, 2018 Paula Tomei MANAGING DIRECTOR David Emmes & Martin Benson FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTORS presents KINGS by Sarah Burgess Efren Delgadillo Jr. Leah Piehl Peter Maradudin Cricket S. Myers SCENIC DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN SOUND DESIGN Holly Ahlborn & Joanne DeNaut, CSa Jenny Jacobs Joshua Marchesi CASTING STAGE MANAGER PRODUCTION MANAGERS Directed by Dámaso Rodríguez Steve & Laurie Duncan Samuel & Tammy Tang Honorary Producer Honorary Producer KINGS was originally developed and produced by The Public Theater Oksar Eustis, Artistic Director Patrick Willingham, Executive Director KINGS is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Kings • South CoaSt RepeRtoRy • P1 CAST OF CHARACTERS (In order of appearance) Lauren ................................................................................. Paige Lindsey White Kate ................................................................................................. Jules Willcox Rep. Sydney Millsap ................................................................... Tracey A. Leigh Sen. John McDowell ................................................................... Richard Doyle LENGTH Approximately 95 minutes with no intermission. PRODUCTION STAFF Dramaturg ......................................................................................... Andy Knight Assistant Stage Manager .................................................................... Amy Rowell Dialect Coach ................................................................................. Nike Doukas Costume Design Assistant .......................................................... Erik Lawrence Stage Management Intern .................................................. Madeleine Blossom Sound Board Operator .................................................................. Jim Lupercio Automation Operator ..................................................................... Alex Johnson Wardrobe Supervisor/Dresser ..................................................... Jyll Christolini Wig and Makeup Technician .................................................... Gillian Woodson Additional Costume Staff ................................................................ Sarah Timm The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Please refrain from unwrapping candy or making other noises that may disturb surrounding patrons. Videotaping and/or recording of this performance by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited. Electronic devices should be turned off or set to non-audible mode during the performance. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the theatre. Photos may be taken before and after the show, and during intermission, but not during the performance. Show your appreciation for the play by using the hashtag #KingsSCR and tagging the designers listed on P1. Media Partner P2 • South CoaSt RepeRtoRy • Kings Love Me or Hate Me—Just Hear Me Out The Lobbyist in Washington by Andy Knight as no surprise. Lobbyists—broadly ances.” And aren’t lobbyists doing defined as individuals who influ- just that? ach year, a Gallup poll ence legislators on behalf of an The act of lobbying in the asks Americans to rate the entity—are seen by many, both U.S. is as old as Congress itself. In honesty and ethical stan- inside and outside of Washington, the late 18th century, Revolution- dards of 22 occupations. D.C., as corrupt, money-driven ary War veterans appealed to the In 2017, 58 percent of shills for the rich and powerful. government for an additional com- respondents gave lobbyists Their defenders, however, argue pensation bill, federal employees Ea “low or very low” rating, putting that they are an essential part of petitioned for higher wages and the profession near the bottom of American democracy. After all, the merchants attempted to halt the the list. (They were second only First Amendment to the United passage of a tariff bill. As the com- to members of Congress, who States Constitution protects the petition for Congress’ attention earned last place with a whopping people’s right to “petition the grew, so did the creative ways used 60 percent.) This, perhaps, comes Government for a redress of griev- to get it. Special interest groups— and the professional lobbyists they had be- gun to employ—gave politicians gifts and engaged them socially with lavish dinners and evenings spent at clubs or gambling parlors. By the time America entered its Gilded Age in the late 19th century, lobbyists (especially those allied with big business) played a powerful role in the country’s political machine. But with that power came more corruption and, during the first half of the 20th century, Congress attempted to subdue the lobbyist with a handful of statutes. Only a few successfully passed—most notably, the Federal Regula- tion of Lobbying Act of 1946, which required agents to register with both the House and the Senate. But still, by Kings • South CoaSt RepeRtoRy • P3 the 1960s, lobbying, while steady, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids avoid this hiatus by taking “con- was more restrained and mostly and Teach for America have lob- sultant” positions until they can used by labor unions and public byists there, too. So does the San formally register. It’s a semantic interest groups. Corporations were Francisco Dog Owners’ Group. The loophole that has contributed to a still enjoying the pro-business breadth of represented interests is growing industry known as shadow ethos of post-war America and, remarkable—even lobbyists have lobbying. therefore, had little concern with lobbyists. But if Washington runs on the dealings of Washington. By the Currently, there are more connections, it also runs on mon- 1970s, however, the culture had than 10,000 registered lobby- ey. Today’s politicians live in an era changed and, as the number of ists in Washington. Competition of endless fundraising, with obliga- federal regulatory laws increased, is cutthroat and political capital tions both to their own campaigns so did the number of corporate means everything. It’s what gets and to their party committees. Lob- lobbyists in Washington. the one-on-one meeting with byists use this to their advantage. Today, the industry is boom- a legislator or the invite to an While it’s illegal to buy legislators ing; in 2017, for example, at least important fundraiser. But political gifts or meals, lobbying firms can 3.3 billion dollars was spent on lob- connections can also dictate who make campaign donations through bying activities. Much of that went becomes a lobbyist. While their political action committees to advancing business interests, some grow their reputations (or PACs, as they’re commonly with corporations and business in the private sector—at top known). They can also organize lo- associations outspending public lobbying firms on Washing- cal fundraisers through these PACs interest groups and labor unions ton’s K Street, the hub of the and even indirectly subsidize—by 34 to 1. But while giants like Pfizer, industry—others use their exploiting yet another loophole— Google and Boeing all have a for- positions as former legisla- destination fundraisers, where midable presence in the capital, tors or staffers to enter politicians and donors rub elbows the Nature Conservancy, the the field. Federal law far from the confines of Washing- requires a cooling- ton. In short, when it comes to off period of one fundraising, lobbyists have a lot of to two years before capital and it’s often the desperate retired members of politicians who pursue them—not the House or Sen- the other way around. ate can lobby In the pay-to-play world of Congress, Washington, however, it’s easy to but many forget that lobbyists contribute far more than money. They are, after all, the experts on the issues they advocate for; they have to be. And, as a result, they’re often key resources for overextended politicians. Lobbyists are also the legislative experts who follow the government’s every move, poring over the minutiae of new laws or proposed legislation in a way that the American people can’t (or won’t). But how they use their expertise, and what they fight for, makes all the difference as to whether they’re regarded as re- sourceful advocates or corrupt parasites. In the court of public opinion, there’s really only one thing about the lobbyist that’s widely agreed upon— they’re not going anywhere. P4 • South CoaSt RepeRtoRy • Kings Artist Biographies RICHARD DOYLE Santa Barbara); The Many Mistresses of Martin Luther Sen. John McDowell King (Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA); The Vagina Mono- logues national tour; and off-Broadway productions at is an SCR Founding Artist, who P.S.122, Soho Rep, Primary Stages, New York Theatre has appeared in more than 200 Workshop, Signature Theatre and La Mama. Aside from productions during 55 years and numerous commercials, her television appearances through 32 years of A Christmas include “Modern Family,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Carol. He is proud of his long SCR Minds” and “Law & Order.” TraceyALeigh.com history, from his earliest days in Volpone and Candida through Holy Days and Frankie PAIGE LINDSEY WHITE and Johnny in the Clair de Lune to recent roles in Lauren The Weir and Rest, to comedy turns in The Fantasticks and James and the Giant Peach. His film, television appeared at SCR previously

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