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Show Description
OR How to Subvert Democracy and Get the Government you Deserve
The Daily Show meets Death of Stalin. Last Week Tonight meets JoJo Rabbit. Have you been dissatisfied with your elected officials and thought “I could do better”? Could you rule the world better than any despot, dictator, or demagogue? Will absolute power corrupt? Absolutely Not! Not with this modern day dictatorial dissertation! Now’s your chance to learn that if you want to change the world, all you need is you and you alone.
Join Emerson Rapp as your host as he navigates topics such as electioneering, governing, and how bad people can make the best politicians. As the old saying goes, “If you didn’t laugh, you’d cry.”
Cast and Crew
Written and Performed by Emerson Rapp
Artist & Show Details:
Curtis Weber –
This a show is about more than our current political climate. It is a humorous and thought provoking history lesson/commentary on how we ended up in this current climate and those keyholders who benefits the most from an authoritarian state. This is a fun and funny show.
Alexa Cioffi-Abt –
Glorious Dictator takes a hilarious look inside the mind of future cult leaders of the world. This step by step guide is a master class in subverting governments and getting what you want-thats right, power!
Emerson Rapp throws in laugh after laugh, using slides, costume changes and music to support his hour. It’s clear the subject material is thoughtfully curated. Be sure to catch this one of a kind show especially if you look forward to running your own cult of personality someday!
Zoe Spangler –
Last night’s show was remarkable! Dripping with satire, Glorious Dictator brought the absurdity of 2025’s political climate to its knees. I loved the dry, committed delivery of his jokes, with an unspoken punchline projected behind him. I know Rapp tapped into something real because at one moment the entire room stopped laughing, and felt extraordinarily tense with political doom. I think this is the most 2025 show on the KC Fringe Festival and would be a shame to miss out on.
Drew Scott –
A historical and hilarious dissection and takedown of authoritarianism that moves at a lightning-fast pace. Joke after joke after joke – Rapp would sometimes be on to the next bit and I’d realize the joke he had made a minute before. A take a sycophant would salute, not realizing Rapp is speaking truth to power and you are leaving inspired to act.
Jessica Whitfield –
Emerson Rapp does a great job of captivating the audience in this one man show. If you don’t like thinking or feeling things, or if you claim to “not be political,” then stay home. If you want to see a show that is both educational and funny, then don’t miss it!
Kelsey Coon –
Emerson takes you to school in a very well-researched and hilarious show. He packed so much in I’m sure I didn’t catch 100% of everything, but it was so well-written!
Matt Hentges –
Emerson Rapp’s expertly crafted one-man show, Glorious Dictator, is the perfect satire for today’s political climate. Feeling oppressed and overwhelmed by all the terrible things happening in our country and around the globe? Glorious Dictator is the cure for your political palgue. This show hits all the sweet spots of satire: sharp wit, topical references, and just the right amount of uncomfortable truths dressed in absurdity. Razor-sharp, with a clever blend of parody and political insight that will make you laugh out loud while simultaneously giving you something to think. about.
K E Bland –
If a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down then an hour of Emerson Rapp makes the education go down. His rapid fire delivery and finely tuned wit makes for a great lesson disguised as a fringe show. Now that I have seen it and learned how to become a dictator I order you to go see this show before it’s too late.
LMM –
Excellent (and funny) presentation explaining how dictators come to power. A little strange that he read a considerable amount of the material, but I was laughing too hard to care much about it.
Taylor Hudson –
Emerson Rapp takes us to school with his well-researched.take down of our current political climate, cleverly disguised as a guide about how to become a dictator. It starts as a humor-filled history lesson about dictators of the past and brings it all the way to our present time and our current political mess. Rapp strikes the perfect balance of comedy with sobering facts and realities.