Review: NOVEMBER Allows for a Break

There couldn't be a greater choice for Acting Ensemble to close out their 2015-2016 season than with the politically charged comedy November by David Mamet. With an election in our own world just around the corner, watching November allows for a relaxing, hilarious break from the seriousness of our own presidential election. If you're keeping up with our current political state of affairs, watch November if you want to riotously laugh at absolutely absurd politics without having to also be genuinely concerned for your country. The fact that this satirical piece (that is meant to be a fun-house-mirror reflection on politics) actually resembles the current political climate is telling.

November brings the laughs through farcical characters and ridiculous situations. The humor in the show has a little bit of something for everyone, from the charming light-hearted jokes to the absurd and raunchy. And don't worry about being bothered or uncomfortable about certain differing political ideologies being present in the show - very few actual viewpoints are brought up and they are so coated in humor that no matter your views, you will find yourself falling off your seat with laughter (I am almost sure one man in the audience actually did!).

The acting in the show is extremely well done. While the space is very small and intimate, that doesn't even register and actually adds to the show; the actors' performances are so natural that it's appropriate that everyone is in a cozy nook of a theater. While the characters are larger than life, the actors have still taken the time to do "the little things" that people do in everyday life, such as subtle reactions, glances, and movements, that make their characters more than just loud mouths with good comedic timing. This adds a human face to the political machine we only glimpse on the TV. The actors all have perfect pacing and rapport with each other that makes the show run smoothly and energetically. The actors are also skillfully adept at maneuvering in a small space that contains both physical and abstract chaos; lots of furniture, actors, phone ringing, and emotions. Yes, save for a few blunders here and there, director Doug Streich's first full-scale production for Acting Ensemble is a total hit! Make sure to go and watch it, it's a great testament to the company's capabilities and a disturbingly accurate lesson in modern American politics.

Below are the rest of the performance dates:

August 25th

August 26th

August 27th

August 28th

Photo Credit: Bill Heimann