Review: Vicuña Brings 2016 Election Politics and Backstabbing Into Focus

The world premiere of Jon Robin Baitz's "Vicuña," directed by Robert Egan, recently opened at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, just in time to present an interesting take on this year's presidential election happening next week. After show discussion revealed Baitz writes daily updates to the script, obviously influenced by the evolving political landscape, thus making the satire a very relevant tale of what might be happening behind the scenes in this year's hotly contested election.

This brand-new satire focuses on a brash presidential candidate on the rise - a blustering real estate tycoon and reality TV star - an obvious character meant to represent Donald Trump - and the world-renowned tailor he coerces into serving him by hand-stitching a closing debate power suit made from vicuña the finest wool material made from a llama-like animal from South America. The fact that candidate Kurt Seaman (Harry Groener in a star-making turn) agrees to pay $110.000 for the suit clues the audience into its special value to transform the candidate into winning the debate and the election.

The world-renown tailor Anselm Kassar (Brian George) is of Iranian Jewish descent whose past history with Seaman creates the need to him to honor the candidates wishes. To ease his friend's mind, he shares that "An appetite can be hidden by an expert tailor and the right clothing lends credibility." Seaman laughs but puts his political fate into Anselm's hands, knowing the debate may well decide who wins the election and anything is worth winning.

Anselm employs an apprentice of Iranian Muslim descent named Amir (Ramiz Monsef whose both-sides-of-the-fence rants will make you wonder exactly which side he is on) who really does all the work on the suit since Anselm's eyesight is failing, a fact hidden from his customers. As Seamen learns more about Amir and his parents who operate New York street hot dog stands and were able to send their son to the best and most expensive schools, he begins a covert investigation as to these immigrants' true intent in the United States. Thus the stage is set for their ultimate showdown that unravels in a show stopping moment during the final debate.

Along the way, Seaman must also deal with his campaign manager daughter Srilanka (Samantha Sloyan), named for the place where she was supposedly conceived. Like Trump's daughter Ivanka, Srilanka is engaged to marry a man of Jewish descent, a fact that at times both pleases and disgusts her father. And when Amir shows interest in her and she in him, Seaman finally explodes telling Amir he cannot ever be with his daughter as that will pollute his family line. Again, the duality of the candidate's motives is brought to light.

Just prior to the final debate during Seaman's last fitting of his well-tailored suit, a private meeting takes place in the tailor's office with the leader of party who nominated Seaman to run for office. Kitty Finch-Gibbon (Linda Gehringer) attempts to bribe Seaman into dropping out of the race as the party officials, all of whom are extremely wealthy and used to buying whatever they want to happen politically, suspect their interests are not being met with Seaman's irresponsible behavior and rants.

But trust me, even though he works out the "best day of business ever" in his life with her, Seaman has other plans, knowing he will prove her belief that he is "a demon Manchurian Candidate." Seaman flips the coin on her and instead reveals everything about the backstabbing during the fateful debate, which then seems to turn the tables in his favor to win the election. It seems the demon has become a hero in the minds of many Americans just for telling the truth. Or so they think.

"Vicuña" delves beneath the overstitching, through the weave and into the true power of the power suit and those weaving the outcome of political elections. A suit may or may not make the man but it can definitely be revealing, especially in this timely take on our rollicking political scene from Pulitzer finalist Baitz.

The scenic design of the tailor's private offices by Kevin Depinet is enhanced during scene breaks by suit-featuring lighting design by Tom Ontiveros. Costume design by Laura Bauer and original music and sound design by Karl Fredrik Lundeberg enhance the entire production. Kudos to Center Theatre Group for presenting such a timely show at just the right moment in history.

The world premiere of Jon Robin Baitz's "Vicuña," directed brilliantly by Robert Egan, continues through November 20 at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre, located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Tickets range from $25 - $70 and are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Ample free parking is available in the City Hall and restaurants are adjacent in downtown Culver City.

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