1. Based on the Most Infamous Political Commercial of All Time
ACT Theatre Presents the World Premiere of
DAISY
by Sean Devine
MEDIA CONTACT:
Valerie Brunetto, Public Relations and Communications Manager
valerie.brunetto@acttheatre.org | 206.292.7660 x1339
700 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101
Seattle, WA – May 17, 2016 –With a Presidential election looming, a group of advertisers working for
Lyndon B. Johnson unleash the most infamous political commercial ever conceived, the “Daisy ad”. The
ad played once, but it carved a scar into the American psyche. Based on actual persons and events, ACT
presents the world premiere of political thriller Daisy by Sean Devine. This explosive play explores the
power of manipulation in advertising and the clear moment in television history that launched the age
of negative attack ads, and forever changed how we elect our leaders.
"The story behind the creation of this single devilishly political ad reads like a morality tale, the
consequence of which continues to haunt our civic discourse," says ACT Artistic Director John Langs.
Daisy features the talents of Bradford Farwell as Aaron Ehrlich, Michael Gotch as Tony Schwartz, as well
as ACT Core Company Members Kirsten Potter as Louise Brown, Connor Toms as Sid Myers, and R.
Hamilton Wright as Bill Bernbach. The creative team includes Artistic Director John Langs (Director),
Shawn Ketchum Johnson (Scenic Designer), Kimberley Newton (Costume Designer), Robert Aguilar
(Lighting Designer), Robertson Witmer (Sound Designer), and Tristan Roberson (Video/Projections
Designer).
Play Development
Playwright Sean Devine received the Sloan Commission from
NYC’s Ensemble Studio Theatre for Daisy in 2014. Watch the
original Daisy ad here.
When: Jul 8 – Aug 7, 2016 (Opening/Press Night on Thursday,
Jul 14)
Where: ACT’s Falls Theatre (700 Union Street, Seattle, WA
98101).
Tickets: Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased online at
www.acttheatre.org, by phone at 206.292.7676, or at the ACT Ticket Office at 700 Union Street.
Available to ACTPass members.
Screenshot from the Daisy ad

2. Age Recommendation: 14+ for mature themes
Hi-res photo by Hayley Young Photography available (no code needed)
http://www.acttheatre.org/About/MediaRoom/ProductionPhotos/Daisy
For information or to arrange interviews, please contact PR and Communications Manager Valerie
Brunetto at valerie.brunetto@acttheatre.org.
About the Playwright
Sean Devine is the current Artistic Director of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, as well as a company co-
founder. Sean is a playwright, performer, director and theatre producer, and has been involved in most
of HHG Theatre’s productions. Sean directed the 2015 Ottawa productions of Re:Union (winner of the
Prix Rideau Award for Best English Production, and nominated for a Best Director award) and Suit Up as
part of SubDevision. Sean’s first play Re:Union premiered in Vancouver in 2011, was published in 2013,
and was presented by the 2015 Magnetic North Theatre Festival. Sean’s second play Except in the
Unlikely Event of War premiered in Vancouver in 2013. His new play Daisy was commissioned by NYC’s
Ensemble Studio Theatre, had a public reading in Toronto with Studio 180 Theatre, and will get its world
premiere at ACT in Seattle in July 2016. Sean was recently commissioned to write When There’s Nothing
Left to Burn for the University of Lethbridge. Sean was playwright-in-residence at GCTC (Ottawa) in
2014/15.
MORE ABOUT JOHN LANGS
John Langs became ACT’s Artistic Director in 2016 after serving as Associate Artistic Director for three
years. Langs’ 16-year freelance career has afforded him the opportunity to work with many prestigious
theatre companies across the country. He has directed productions at Playwrights Horizons NY,
Ensemble Studio Theater NY, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Lookingglass Theater Company in Chicago,
Circle X in Los Angeles, The Resident Ensemble, New Century Theatre Company, Washington Ensemble
Theatre, and Seattle Shakespeare Company.
Langs received his directing degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Some of his
favorite directing credits include The Shaggs Philosophy of the World (Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle
Award for Best Original Musical), and Brothers Karamazov (seven LADCC Awards including Best
Production of the year and Best Direction) and directing Kurt Beattie in King Lear. Langs received the
first annual Seattle Gregory Award honoring excellence in direction for The Adding Machine. Recent
Seattle credits include NCTC’s Mary’s Wedding, The Seagull Project’s The Three Sisters, and Seattle
Shakespeare’s Othello. As a dedicated fan of original work, Langs has shepherded over a dozen projects
to their premier production.

3. Dates to Note
 Red Carpet Opening Night– Jul 14
 Tastings– Jul 22
 Post-Play Discussions– Jul 19, 24, and 31
 Behind the Scenes with Classical KING FM– Jul 12
 Discounted Performances– Jul 12, 19, 26, and Aug 2
For Calendars
WHAT: ACT – A Contemporary Theatre presents a world premiere based on a true story. While a
presidential election is looming, turmoil over civil rights is spilling onto the streets, a fearful ideology is
growing from the conservative right, and the threat of nuclear war is palpable. Daisy explores the
moment in history where the most infamous political commercial ever made was created by a group of
ad-men working for Lyndon B. Johnson and forever changed how we elect our leaders.
WHEN: Previews: Jul 8 - 13
Opening/Press Night: Thursday, Jul 14
Closing Performance: Sunday, Aug 7
TIMES: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays–7:30pm (Matinee on Jul 21)
Fridays–8:00pm
Saturdays–2:00pm and 8:00pm (No matinee on Jul 9 and 23)
Sundays–2:00pm and 7:00pm (No matinee on Jul 10)
WHERE: ACT’s Falls Theatre, 700 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101
TICKETS: Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased online at www.acttheatre.org, by phone at
206.292.7676, or at the ACT Ticket Office at 700 Union Street. Available to ACTPass Members.
Show sponsor
ABOUT ACT
Located in Seattle’s Downtown Historic Theatre District, ACT is home to five performance spaces under one roof. Since 1965,
ACT has been a destination for experiencing new voices, stories, and art. ACT is steadfast in its dedication to producing work
with contemporary playwrights and local performing artists through its Mainstage Play series, ACTLab producing partnerships,
and Young Playwrights Program. With more than 450 performances a year, ACT is a community hub where artists and the
public connect about today’s issues and ideas, and celebrate the shared experience.
Seasons Sponsors: ArtsFund, Boeing, Office of Arts & Culture, The Shubert Foundation
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