The Group: A Farce

Set against the turmoil of the American Revolution, this lively farce pits two rival groups of stage‑crafting soldiers against one another. When British officers flood occupied cities with their own troupe, they unleash a mocking play titled “The Blockade of Boston,” provoking a sharp, witty retort from an unexpected source: Mercy Warren, a patriot‑spirited woman of letters. In her counter‑farce, “The Blockheads; or, the Affrighted Officers,” she skewers the pomp and pretensions of the red‑coated performers, turning the battlefield into a comedy club.

The opening act bursts with rapid dialogue, flamboyant costumes, and satirical verse that lampoons both sides of the conflict while celebrating the restless energy of a fledgling nation. Listeners will enjoy the spirited banter between exaggerated military types and the sharp, insightful commentary of a pioneering female playwright. The play captures the paradox of wartime censorship and the enduring urge to laugh in the face of authority, inviting audiences to hear a forgotten voice from America’s theatrical infancy.