The Political Orphanage SHUTDOWN: The Musical
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Nov 5, 2025 Clive Crispin, a theatre critic for BBC Bolton, dives into the satirical world of "Shutdown: The Musical." He shares his passion for political musicals and explores the show’s comedic take on budget collapses and furloughs. Clive highlights historical political events from the Civiletti memo to the Trump era, illustrating how both parties utilize shutdowns as theatrical tools. Amidst the humor, he emphasizes human impacts like SNAP cuts and the emotional struggles of workers, making the musical a reflection on political theatre today.
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Civiletti Memo Changed Shutdown Reality
- Clive Crispin argues Civiletti's 1980 memo transformed funding gaps into government cessation rather than temporary slowdowns.
- That reinterpretation turned budget failures into recurring political leverage for shutdowns.
1995 Gingrich Revival Backfired
- Clive recounts the 1990s Gingrich–Bush–Clinton episodes where shutdowns became political theatre and backfired for Republicans.
- He points to Gingrich's 1995 strategy as a turning point that ultimately helped Clinton politically.
2013 Tea Party Revival And Panda Cam
- Clive describes the 2013 Tea Party revival centered on Obamacare and the infamous "Panda Cam Down" number.
- The shutdown cost $24 billion and pressured Republicans to pass a clean continuing resolution.