Darcy James Argue's Secret Society: "Real Enemies"

Based on in-depth research into the history, aesthetics, and psychology of conspiracy, "Real Enemies" is an evening-length, multi-media, jazz-fueled exploration of American paranoia. This marriage of music-theatre and hybrid nonfiction marks the first collaboration between composer Darcy James Argue, filmmaker Peter Nigrini, and writer Isaac Butler, who together chronicle a shadow history of post-war America that may - or may not - be true. Beginning with Edward Snowden's revelations about NSA data collection and moving through a dozen conspiracies, "Real Enemies" mimics and deconstructs how information overload, our need to make sense of the world, and government wrongdoing form the basis of our conspiracy culture. Conspiracy theories are our modern folklore, a way to explain uncomfortable and troubling aspects of our world. Equal parts rollicking concert, impressionist documentary, and lyric essay, "Real Enemies" is at the vanguard of both music-theatre and hybrid nonfiction, continuing the boundary-pushing work of composer Darcy James Argue.