The cast of Venice at The Public includes Uzo Aduba, Jennifer Damiano, Jonathan-David, Claybourne Elder, Leslie Odom, Jr., Victoria Platt, Angela Polk, Matt Sax, and Haaz Sleiman.

[1] The Kansas City production received regional and national attention for its unique use of hip-hop and multimedia elements.

[5] 20 years before the story begins, the government of the state of Venice is destroyed by a massive terrorist attack that kills tens of thousands.

A military occupation divides the nation into a Safe Zone for the elites, and leaves the rest trapped in the ruins of the fallen city.

The Clown MC, our narrator and guide, describes life under military occupation and introduces Venice Monroe, a charismatic leader with a plan to restore the nation's democracy.

When a massive peace demonstration threatens to spin out of control, the city is stunned by the miraculous appearance of Willow Turner, daughter of the assassinated President, whose arrival signals the symbolic reunification of the people.

The two heroes announce their intention to marry and lead the reunification effort together—to the shock of her supposed fiancé, Theodore Westbrook, heir to the reins of the military occupation.

Emilia befriends Willow, Venice entrusts Michael with security, and Theo mourns the loss of his beloved fiancée ("Sunrise").

Michael realizes too late that something isn't right, and as the wedding procession begins, a terrifying explosion ends the first act.

Terrified and confused, Michael Victor relives the explosion and its aftermath, only to be shown by the ghost of Anna and the Clown MC that the body in the coffin is his own (“Never Wish War on a People”).

As the funeral ends, Venice leaves, enraged, while Theo learns that he is unwittingly responsible for Michael's death –- which is overheard by a frightened Emilia, who starts to understand Markos's motives.

The people of the city demand revenge in the aftermath of the attack, and as civil war looms, Markos convinces Venice that Westbrook, Willow, and Michael have been plotting against him the whole time (“Poison”).

In the church, a nearly insane Venice confronts the memory of his mother and his rage at his failure to redeem her legacy (“Put out the Light”).