The McSweeney's Book of Politics and Musicals by Jenny Shank

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Synopsis

In honor of the 2012 election season, the patriots at McSweeney's Internet Tendency ("The Iowa Caucus of humor websites") offer a riotous collection (peacefully assembled!) of pitch-perfect tributes that unite two of America's most beloved crossroads: Pennsylvania Avenue and Broadway. Ever since John Hancock broke into song after signing the Declaration of Independence, American politics and musicals have been inextricably linked. From Alexander Hamilton's... more

In honor of the 2012 election season, the patriots at McSweeney's Internet Tendency ("The Iowa Caucus of humor websites") offer a riotous collection (peacefully assembled!) of pitch-perfect tributes that unite two of America's most beloved crossroads: Pennsylvania Avenue and Broadway. Ever since John Hancock broke into song after signing the Declaration of Independence, American politics and musicals have been inextricably linked. From Alexander Hamilton's jazz hands, to Chester A. Arthur's oboe operas, to Newt Gingrich's off-Broadway sexscapade, You, Me, and My Moon Colony Mistress Makes Three, government and musical theater have joined forces to document our nation's long history of freedom, partisanship, and dancers on roller skates pretending to be choo choo trains. The McSweeney's Book of Politics and Musicals follows in this lead with over 100 monologues, charts, scripts, lists, diatribes, and musicals written by the noted fake-musical lyricist, Ben Greenman.Publication History: A VINTAGE ORIGINAL less

About Jenny Shank

Jenny Shank grew up in Denver, Colorado, and earned degrees from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado. She is the author of the novel... more

Jenny Shank grew up in Denver, Colorado, and earned degrees from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado. She is the author of the novel THE RINGER, to be published by The Permanent Press in March 2011. Her stories, essays, and reviews have appeared in many publications, including Prairie Schooner, Alaska Quarterly Review, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, The Onion, Poets & Writers, Bust, Michigan Quarterly Review, Rocky Mountain News, Dallas Morning News, and Boulder Daily Camera. One of her stories was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and another was listed among the "Notable Essays of the Year" in the Best American Essays. For six years Jenny Shank was the Denver/Boulder Editor of The Onion A.V. Club, and she is currently the Books & Writers Editor of NewWest.Net/Books, which was named "Best Literary Blog" in the Westword Best of Denver issue. She lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and son. less