The STORY
Welcome to the growing movement behind Tyrants & Saints. This is a work in progress, with the full infrastructure for global rollout planned for early 2026.
But the revolution doesn’t wait—and neither does satire. Whether you want to remix a scene, rewrite a song, or throw your local despot under the musical bus, here’s how to get involved.
Tyrants & Saints is built to be radically adaptable—an open stage for satire that anyone, anywhere can perform with minimal setup. The story revolves around four core characters who encounter a rotating cast of local autocrats, allowing each production to customize the show to reflect its own social or political landscape. By turning authoritarian figures into objects of humor, the musical aims to erode fear through laughter, empowering communities to reframe power with creativity and wit.
A Musical Platform for the World
Tyrants & Saints is not only modular in content but also minimal by design. The entire score is intentionally arranged for just six musicians, and only eight performers are needed on stage. This lean setup allows for guerrilla-style productions—fast to rehearse, easy to stage, and ideal for communities with limited resources or a desire to go rogue.
This isn’t just one show—it’s a framework for infinite variations. Creators worldwide are invited to remix, adapt, and expand the musical with their own characters, songs, and scenes. You don’t need a Broadway budget. Just a few core building blocks, your voice, and the will to call out the absurd. Whether on a stage, in a classroom, a village square, or your living room—this musical is a toolkit for creative dissent.
Humor as Resistance
Autocrats can censor speeches and control media—but they can’t stop people from humming a tune. Just like Ze Frank’s viral anthem “I’m About to Whip Somebody’s Ass” voiced global frustration through melody, Tyrants & Saints is built for everyday resistance. It transforms fear into mockery and control into chaos—all set to a beat. The goal isn’t just entertainment—it’s about reclaiming voice and agency through satire. Laughing at power is the first step toward reclaiming it.
Tone & Satirical Style
This musical pulls no punches—it’s darkly funny, biting, and unapologetically satirical. Think Yes, Minister on steroids. Every line drips with irony, and every song is a sharp jab at the machinery of power. It mocks the absurdities of authoritarian rule using the very tools autocrats fear most: humor, music, and storytelling. It’s inspired by works like The Origins of Totalitarianism, The Dictator’s Handbook, How Democracies Die, and 1984—but made performable, accessible, and dangerously catchy.
Call to Action: Build Your Version
Create. Remix. Perform.
This is your invitation to join a global creative rebellion. Download the core script, swap in your local autocrat, rewrite three songs, and you’ve got a custom performance ready to go.
Whether you’re a theater kid, protest poet, bedroom songwriter, or just someone fed up with your mayor—this stage is yours.
All it takes is: Altering a color-coded script to slot in your local autocrat. And (re)writing the lyrics of 3 songs.
– subject to change before 2026 launch –
Contributor Guidelines(Draft)
What You Can Do:
- Add your own local character to replace or join the four core roles
- Write original songs or parodies in the musical’s satirical tone
- Create short modular scenes to insert into any performance
- Translate the show into your language or dialect
- Perform it live, animate it, record it as a podcast—or just hum it in traffic
What to Avoid:
- No direct incitement to violence—we mock, not martyr
- No real names unless they’re historical (dead autocrats welcome!)
- Stay culturally adaptable: keep it satire, not slander
How to Share:
- Submit your contributions to our global remix library (submission portal coming in 2026)
- Use the hashtag #TyrantsAndSaints to tag performances and versions
- Collaborate with other creators to build regional versions and unique styles