Last week the Tarleton State University Theatre presented “44 Plays for 44 Presidents,” written by Andy Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Chloe Johnston, and Karen Weinberg. The show is a series of biographical vignettes designed to highlight the highs -and more often, lows – of America’s presidential history.

The play began with a dramatized look at God’s “creation” of America and the presidency of George Washington. From there, a group of 11 actors took turn donning a red, white, and blue coat, which represented their position as the president. The acting was extremely well done, particularly that of female actors Kaylee Carlisle and Dallas Burch, who managed to steal every scene despite playing minor characters in most.

The first act of the show was met with hearty laughs from the senior members of the audience and several hesitant chuckles from many younger viewers. Each skit pointed out the infamous qualities of the presidents, so for people who haven’t spent the last four years in political science classes most likely found the references heading straight over their heads.

However, the second act covered more recent figures, and was easier to follow. By the end of the show, every audience member was laughing along as President Ford delivered a half-hearted pardon for Nixon’s involvement in Watergate, and President Clinton proclaimed his own innocence while glancing up the skirt of a passing secretary.

“44 Presidents” accomplished what it set out to do – shed light on the devastating effect one four-year term can have on America when placed in the wrong hands. The play concluded with the narrator urging audience members to do their part for America’s future and register to vote, lest they sit idly by and watch their country fall apart.