THE OUTSIDER at Spotlight Theatre in Swarthmore. Ross Drucker as erstwhile new Governor Ned Newley and Eric Rupp as his idealistic right-hand man, Dave Riley. Through April 28th.
By Ellen Wilson Dilks
I needed this. I needed it badly….
Swarthmore’s Spotlight Theatre continues their current season with a production of actor-playwright Paul Slade Smith’s political farce, THE OUTSIDER. Directed by Lorraine Barrett, the performances run weekends through April 28th.
Written in 2015, THE OUTSIDER takes a look at politics through a comedic lens—the only sane way to do it these days. (Otherwise, many of us would be sobbing uncontrollably.) Uber shy Lt. Governor Ned Newley suddenly finds himself in the top seat after the preceding office holder is caught having sex with a beauty pageant runner-up. After a disastrous televised swearing-in, wherein Ned stared at the television cameras, shook uncontrollably and muttered incoherently, His right-hand man, Dave Riley goes into crisis mode; his first move is to hire pollster Paige Caldwell to assess the damage and advise how best to fix the situation. He also brings in a temp as secretary, Lousie Peakes. She is as perky as she is clueless. Meanwhile Paige gets a CNN political analyst, Arthur Vance, to come help strategize how to get the public on Ned’s size—and avoid a special election. Craziness ensues.
Vance decides a softball TV interview is the way to go, and gets local reporter Rachel Parsons to come to the governor’s mansion. She is frustrated because her boss informed her that Vance wants only the easiest questions lobbed at Newley. Nothing about actually governing. I don’t want to say more because it would spoil the fun for viewers.
Director Lorraine Barrett understands what’s needed in farce—real people reaction in real (but heightened) ways to outlandish circumstances—and a rapid pace to the action. The root definition of the word “farce” is stuffed. And these types of plays are indeed stuff with clever one-liners and lots of physical comedy. They are fun to perform and fun to direct. Spotlights cast and crew seems to definitely be having fun. On the technical side, Tom Mostek provides the simple yet elegant set of the governor’s office. The walls a re rich deep blue with ruby drapes on the windows and traditional cream and rose upholstered furniture. It looks like a governor’s office. Mr. Mostek also took on designing lights and sound—a job well done sir. Décor and set painting is the work of Sue Abla.
Ms. Barrett has chosen her cast well. All seven performers know how to land a joke—not as easy as it sounds. She stages the piece deftly, making sure no one is upstaged and making use of the space well. You could see her directorial hand in the stage business that added immensely to the comedy. Pollster Paige Caldwell is well played by Stephanie Rogers. She brings a touch of snark to the role that works in this political setting. The always deft Eric Rupp handles the role of idealistic Dave Riley. He is great showing how he really believes in Newley’s abilities (if he could just get past his shyness), and wants to help the man make some real changes for the good of the people of their state. Newley wants that too—and when he is talking one-on-one, he breadth of knowledge on the needs of his constituents, as well as the costs, he’s impressive. But get him in front of a camera—or around unfamiliar people—and he’s a walking nerve ending. Ross Drucker is great in the role; he nails nebbish to a tee. Cathy Gibbons Mostek is equally as terrific as the cheerful but woefully inept Louise Peakes. She shines in every scent she’s in. Anthony Marsal perfectly captures the smarminess of a career politico as Arthur Vance. He delivers Vance’s jaded take on how to get and stay in office with great aplomb. As the television reporter, Rachel Parsons, Emily-Grace Murray shows viewers a woman who wants to be a real journalist but is stuck doing mostly fluff by her sexist boss. Murray gives a strong performance, illuminating a woman many of us ladies can relate to. And finally, there’s cameraman A.C. Petersen. John Casertano is delightful as the average guy who has no finesse, no filters and just wants to film what he’s told to. My only quibble with the production was the occasional drop in volume by the actors.
Though THE OUTSIDER was written before the current chaos of what passes for politics in America now, it is frighteningly relevant. One wonders if Paul Slade Smith had a crystal ball and saw the dumpster fire that was coming our way. Things have got so bad—and so sad—in Washington that the only way to maintain a thinking person can maintain their sanity is to find the funny in it all. Laugh out loud funny, this play sure does.
WHEN YOU GO: THE OUTSIDER continues tonight at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm, **April 26th and 27th at 8 and April 28th at 3pm. The running time is just a tad over 2 hours, including the intermission. Spotlight Theatre performs on the lower level of the Community Center in the United Methodist Church building at 129 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, PA 19081. The venue is handicapped accessible—contact the theatre so they can arrange to assist your party in getting into the performance space safely. The venue is in the heart of Swarthmore Borough, 2 blocks from the train station, and next to the Municipal Building. Contact the theatre either by phone @ (610) 328-1079 or via e-mail: marketing@spotlighttheatrepa.org The company’s website is www.spotlighttheatrepa.org
**NOTICE FOR APRIL 26TH PERFORMANCE:
There is a Food Truckathon scheduled for downtown Swarthmore from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Friday, April 26th. Park Avenue will be closed off from traffic beginning at the theater (129 Park Avenue) all the way up to Chester Road. The borough parking lot, Dartmouth Road and Lincoln Way by the food co-op will be closed as well. Spotlight Theatre patrons are advised to approach Swarthmore from Yale Avenue, and utilize the residential neighborhood of Park Avenue and Harvard Avenue for street parking. Mass transit is also available via regional rail on the Media-Wawa line, stopping in Swarthmore.