The Outsider at Tellico Community Playhouse

The Outsider

By Paul Slade Smith

Directed by Suzy Short

PERFORMANCES:

March 12-13, 7:30 PM

March 14-15, 2:30 PM

March 19-20, 7:30 PM

March 21-22, 2:30 PM

March 26-27, 7:30 PM

March 28-29, 2:30 PM

***NOTE THAT ALL WEEKEND PERFORMANCES ARE MATINEES AT 2:30 pm***

Merriam-Webster defines a politician as:

1.:a person experienced in the art or science of government

2. often disparaging : a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons

Meet Ned Newley, the new Governor of the State of Vermont. Ned was not elected to the position but was the Lieutenant Governor who succeeds the previous Governor due to poor choices on his part. To say Ned is reluctant to be Governor is an understatement. Ned is the epitome of definition #1 as defined by Webster; his predecessor was the epitome of definition #2. Ned was the brains of the administration and his boss was the glamorous, unscrupulous figure-head.

This political satire has a hilarious plot line. Lead by a chief of Staff who had no staff, he hires a lovable and charming but totally clueless temporary assistant and a seasoned and driven pollster. They are joined by a political strategist who sees a golden candidate in poor Ned and surprises everyone with his choice of a running mate in a special election. When a television reporter and cameraman arrive to tape an live interview, everything is up for grabs.

This comedy is totally non-partisan. Walk away with some food for thought and an evening or afternoon well-spent viewing the behind the scenes activity that may (or may not) accompany an election.