Elevator Repair Service’s Political Riff Arguendo Begins Performances at the Public

The acclaimed theater ensemble Elevator Repair Service returns to the Public Theater with Arguendo, which begins performances on September 10 at the Public’s LuEsther Hall. Directed by John Collins, the playful political riff will run through October 6.

Featuring a breathtaking projection design by visual artist Ben Rubin, Arguendo tells the story of a provocative 1991 Supreme Court case (Barnes v. Glen Theatre) in which a group of exotic dancers cite the First Amendment to challenge a ban on public nudity. ERS stages the oral argument of the case verbatim—with their signature theatricality and wit, of course.

The complete case of Arguendo includes Maggie Hoffman, Mike Iveson, Vin Knight, Susie Sokol and Ben Williams.

Arguendo was co-commissioned by the Public Theater, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Wexner Center for the Arts at the Ohio State University. Every performance on Wednesdays and Sundays will be followed by a talkback with Collins, who also serves as Elevator Repair Service’s Artistic Director.