2nd Story's State of the Union

State of the Union, by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse opened on Broadway in 1945 (in a theater owned by Lindsay & Crouse), had a respectable run and won the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Union is the second play in a series at 2nd Story to deal with the machinations of Washington, DC.  Like Born Yesterday, 2nd Story's previous production, State of the Union, as written, is fast-paced, engaging and as relevant today as when it was written.

In the story, Grant Matthews (Walter Cotter) is a successful airplane manufacturer who enjoys broad, post-war, public support for his business savvy and populist beliefs.  Jim Conover (Tom Roberts) is the ultimate Washington, DC insider: a Republican kingmaker.  Kay Thondyke (Paula Faber) is a powerful, conservative, newspaper publisher and Matthews' mistress.

As the play opens, Thorndyke and Conover are trying to convince Matthews to consider a run for the Republican presidential nomination.  They have enlisted the help of influential newspaper writer Sally "Spike" MacManus (Margaret Melozzi) to guide, cajole and baby-sit Matthews during a coast-to-coast series of speeches that will gauge the public's interest in Matthews as a presidential candidate.  The first person they have to convince is Mary Matthews (Carol Schlink), his wife.

To a varying degree (though not a widely varying degree) none of the actors in the lead roles were ready for opening night.  To have empathy for the actors, whose work I have enjoyed, is to be pained by their collectively dismal performance.  

My best guess is that one out of ten lines throughout the evening were flubbed.  At times, that number was much higher.  The play ground to a halt, twice.  There were times that the action should stop, I think, but even then I couldn't be sure if it was stopping as written or because an actor forgot their line. Tom Roberts, thankfully, picked up the line a few other times for his fellow actors who had dropped it.

The performance of the supporting cast was better and for some actors, terrific.  Tom DiMaggio as Sam Parrish, who has long, almost-familial relationship, with the Matthews' was fine.  JM Richardson, as a willowy, southern, Judge Alexander was great.  Joan Batting hands-down stole the evening as Mrs. Alexander, Judge Alexander's boozy, Dixie-crat, beard of a wife. Vince Petronio, Steve Palmer, Marg Cappelli, Parker Wood and Carole Collins also have cameo roles in Union.

In a smart, economical, decision 2nd Story uses the same set for both Born Yesterday and State of the Union.  The lighting, costumes, and music all supported the play as best they could.  

State of the Union runs at 2nd Story Theater in Warren, RI through September 1.  Performances are Wednesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $25.00.  For more information visit www.2ndstorytheatre.com

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