Farragut North

Farragut North

Stage Left Theatre

And You Thought Politics Was About…

 

I’m not sure what I thought politics was about when I went to see this remarkable play by thirty-something playwright Beau Willimon. Certainly I didn’t think it was about what I saw. I almost never read reviews about plays I’m about to see and confine my “research” to the hype posted by the theater company. I’m almost never disappointed by this tactic since it permits me to form my own reactions and opinions as the production unfolds before my eyes.


Farragut North Cast

What first strikes you is the incredibly crisp set presented by Scenic Designer Roger Wykes. The formal, grey-blue tongue-and-groove paneling atop the clean, dark blue with white picture-frame wainscot speaks nothing of the perfidy you’re about to witness as Farragut North unfolds.

Playwright Willimon tells us in the Dramaturg’s Notes that “…the atmosphere of it, the paranoia, the bald ambition, the gluttony for power and the ways in which all those things can warp your soul—it was all there.” Years ago I was involved in a grass-roots presidential campaign and actually ran for statewide office (as an elector) by accident. I was there; they needed a name; they put mine on the form. I witnessed up close the same kinds of behavior that Willimon presents to us in this masterwork of political drama. This is not a play about political issues; it is a play about moral decay and the gamesmanship of politics at its worst.

Stage Left Scores



Brian Plocharczyk (Stephen) and Melanie Derleth (Molly)

There is little if anything to dislike about this strong Stage Left production. If you’ve ever worked even slightly on a political campaign you’ll recognize the characters easily and Stage Left has cast them to a T. The heavy lifting in the piece is born by Stage Left ensemble member Brian Plocharczyk  portraying Stephen Bellamy, the whiz-kid Press Secretary who leaves no doubt in our minds as to his unquenchable desire to be a success in politics. Bellamy works for Paul, the Governor of Iowa’s Campaign Manager ably presented by Mike Dailey. Ian McLaren plays a smaller but critical role as the Campaign Manager for “the other side,” and indeed, when the play concludes we are left with the distinct feeling that it was McLaren’s character that emerges as the grand puppet-master in the entire charade. Melanie Derleth, Sandy Elias and Sarah Denison turn in strong supporting roles, especially Denison whose NYT Reporter character Ida teaches us that it’s not only the politicians who are morally bankrupt. Andy Quijano fills in with some important ancillary roles to round out this excellent cast.

The play is set in Des Moines, Iowa, during Iowa’s presidential caucuses and is very loosely based on the playwright’s experiences working on the 2004 Howard Dean campaign for President. Although the incidents are fiction, the ambiance and attitudes reflect what Willimon saw during his various assignments working on political campaigns.

The dialog is quick and wonky. It helps if you read about politics somewhat regularly. The pacing and rhythm of Stage Left’s production is fast but skillfully and executed. As we might say in the musical world, the tuttis and intonation are nearly perfect.

Farragut North | Stage Left Theatre runs until October 9^th, 2011 at Theatre Wit on Belmont. This is one you won’t want to miss. And if even ten percent of what it shows us is true, what does that say about the state of American politics?