Born In the Usa

‘Last week I saw a dead man… A man I saw die’ 

Michigan. Autumn 2024. Retired Ford factory worker Jimmy Vandenburg works alone in his garage servicing the classic American cars of his youth. He is the anti-hero of the Bruce Springsteen anthem, ‘born down in a dead man’s town’, trying to get by in the economic wasteland of the rust belt. 

Jimmy is a war hero, a decorated Vietnam veteran, who like many of his comrades, feels betrayed. So Trump’s call to ‘Make America Great Again’ appeals to his disillusionment. But his newfound enthusiasm for politics drives a wedge between him and his wife, Bernice. Then a chance visit makes him question his convictions and leads to a profound emotional reconciliation. 

This highly praised, deeply moving yet humorous play tells the gripping story of a man who must confront his trauma in order to overcome it. 

In recent years populist parties have gained huge support in democracies across the world. Born In The USA bravely challenges assumptions about populist politics to show how they seduce the marginalised and the disaffected. Trump's re-election has increased bitter political divisions, making the play even more topical and pertinent.

'An extraordinary tour de force, both uplifting and devastating in equal measure'
★★★★★ Reviews Hub

'A gripping piece of theatre that should be experienced by all generations … a compelling, heart-wrenching tale of a man who thought he was doing the right thing and now questions his actions'.
★★★★★ Edinburgh Fringe Review