Theater De Facto

Theater De Facto Writers for Democratic Action have developed a retelling of Sinclair Lewis's novel and play, "It Can't Happen Here...Again."

We are a small group of theatrical and democracy devotees who are introducing this show to audiences around the Twin Cities.

Perhaps they know that IT'S PITCHFORK TIME
06/02/2026

Perhaps they know that IT'S PITCHFORK TIME

Peter Thiel is reportedly moving to Argentina, part of a trend among billionaires looking to live abroad as they hedge their bets on the US.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FASCISMHow many do YOU see in this administration????1. Powerful, often exclusionary, populist nation...
04/30/2026

CHARACTERISTICS OF FASCISM

How many do YOU see in this administration????

1. Powerful, often exclusionary, populist nationalism centered on cult of a redemptive, “infallible”
leader who never admits mistakes.
2. Political power derived from questioning reality, endorsing myth and rage, and promoting lies.
3. Fixation with perceived national decline, humiliation, or victimhood.
4. White Replacement “Theory” used to show that democratic ideals of freedom and equality are a threat.
Oppose any initiatives or institutions that are racially, ethnically, or religiously harmonious.
5. Disdain for human rights while seeking purity and cleansing for those they define as part of the nation.
6. Identification of “enemies”/scapegoats as a unifying cause. Imprison and/or murder opposition and minority
group leaders.
7. Supremacy of the military and embrace of paramilitarism in an uneasy, but effective
collaboration with traditional elites. Fascists arm people and justify and glorify violence as “redemptive”.
8. Rampant sexism.
9. Control of mass media and undermining “truth”.
10. Obsession with national security, crime and punishment, and fostering a sense of the nation under attack.
11. Religion and government are intertwined.
12. Corporate power is protected and labor power is suppressed.
13. Disdain for intellectuals and the arts not aligned with the fascist narrative.
14. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Loyalty to the leader is paramount and often more important than competence.
15. Fraudulent elections and creation of a one-party state.
16. Often seeking to expand territory through armed conflict

Thanks so much to First Congregational Church in Minneapolis for hosting our staged reading of "It Can't Happen Here...A...
04/29/2026

Thanks so much to First Congregational Church in Minneapolis for hosting our staged reading of "It Can't Happen Here...Again" last weekend!

Are you a democracy-minded organization? Do you want to attract like-minded participants/customers? We are looking for opportunities to present this staged reading that looks back at history to bring hope for tomorrow. All we need is a large classroom, sanctuary, or other open space (indoors or out) and we will do the rest.

If you're interested in learning more, DM us and we'll get back to you as soon as we're able.

(Photo credit Roya White Eagle)

Theater De Facto wants to send out a big THANK YOU to yesterday's audience at First Congregational Church in Minneapolis...
04/27/2026

Theater De Facto wants to send out a big THANK YOU to yesterday's audience at First Congregational Church in Minneapolis! We had some great after-show discussion and your ideas on how to spread our message were fabulous!

We don't have any more performances on the calendar yet, but we're just getting started so follow and watch this space for more announcements! We expect to be in your community soon!

Spend a sliver of your Sunday afternoon dipping your feet into the world of the past-is-present." We're presenting a sta...
04/24/2026

Spend a sliver of your Sunday afternoon dipping your feet into the world of the past-is-present." We're presenting a staged reading of "It Can't Happen Here...Again" based on Sinclair Lewis's classic novel about fascism in America.

2 p.m. First Congregational Church of Minnesota UCC
500 SE 8th Ave, Minneapolis

Free and open to the public!

From 2016, but still relevant 10 years later - only MORE!
04/23/2026

From 2016, but still relevant 10 years later - only MORE!

Sinclair Lewis’s It Can’t Happen Here features an antihero who whips up support among angry voters on the back of firebrand rhetoric, fearmongering populism and anti-Mexican sentiment. Sound familiar?

Some eras require our chosen art form to move from quiet beauty to a rageful shout!Don't miss our staged reading of "It ...
04/22/2026

Some eras require our chosen art form to move from quiet beauty to a rageful shout!

Don't miss our staged reading of "It Can't Happen Here...Again" on April 26th at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Minnesota, UCC! Free and open to the public!

Writers and theater groups across the country are creating works in response to crackdowns on their communities

“government of the profits, by the profits, for the profits.”― Sinclair Lewis, It Can't Happen HereCome explore "It Can'...
04/17/2026

“government of the profits, by the profits, for the profits.”
― Sinclair Lewis, It Can't Happen Here

Come explore "It Can't Happen Here...Again" with us on April 26 at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Minneapolis, 500 SE 8th St in MPLS.

We will examine how Sinclair Lewis's words ring true today and how we can stop fascism in its tracks!

“Call me a socialist or any blame thing you want to, as long as you grab hold of the other end of the cross-cut saw with...
04/16/2026

“Call me a socialist or any blame thing you want to, as long as you grab hold of the other end of the cross-cut saw with me and help slash the big logs of Poverty and Intolerance to pieces.”
― Sinclair Lewis, It Can't Happen Here

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Minneapolis, MN

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