November, Mrs. Whitney and Destry Rides Again

David Mamet's November at American Conservatory Theatre

Andrew Polk and René Augesen

American Conservatory Theatre continues its new season with the West Coast premiere of David Mamet's November. The American farce appeared on Broadway last year at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre starring Nathan Lane. Mamet has written some brilliant plays that have mostly been of tough, hard-hitting guys looking to get ahead in the world in any way possible. But this great playwright seems to have gone in a different direction, choosing to be more outrageous and nonsensical with this two hour fifteen minute comedy of an American president.

November seems more like Neil Simon than David Mamet as the zingers come fast and furious, especially in the opening scenes. The dialogue is slick and jaunty between President Charles Smith (Andrew Polk) and his lawyer Archer Brown (Anthony Fusco), but it comes at such a rapid machine-gun pace that many of the lines lose their hilarity. It is never mentioned whether President Smith is a Democrat or Republican. He is approaching the unlikelihood of a second term with numbers "lover than Gandhi's cholesterol." (President to his lawyer: "What is it about me that people don't like??" Lawyer responds: "That you're still here."). This man does not even know there is a war going on in Iraq or Afghanistan and wonders about the immigrant problem (Lawyer to President: "We can't build a fence to keep out illegal immigrants." The President responds: "Why not?" The lawyer retorts: "We need the illegal immigrants to build the fence.")

President Smith gets the bright idea for a $200 million donation to his "war chest" and a library if he is defeated. He hatches a scheme to shake down the hapless spokesman of the National Association of Turkey and Turkey By-Products Manufacturers (Manoel Felciano) for the money in exchange for performing the annual presidential Thanksgiving poultry pardon. If the guy does not fork over the money, the president will pardon all turkeys in the nation and will suggest pork be the annual Thanksgiving Day dish. Other ideas are floated about in this fast-paced comedy that is something like a long sketch comedy or sitcom. Mamet brings in same-sex weddings, Native American casinos, a "torture town" in Bulgaria, and corrupt solicitation of campaign funds. One can only say that it needs the caliber of a Nathan Lane to keep the play entertaining.

Andrew Polk (New York Mouth to Mouth, Accomplices) gives a buoyant performance as the man-child President Charles H.P. Smith. He is especially good in the second act when the play develops into a French-style farce. Anthony Fusco (A.C.T. core actor) underplays the role of Archer Brown the trusted adviser. He has a good dry wit when speaking lines such as, "Everybody hates you and you're out of cash. Go home."

René Augesen (A.C.T. core actress) makes the most of her role as the lesbian speechwriter (Clarice Bernstein). With clunky glasses and a bad perm, she is hilarious as a lesbian who wants to marry her other half since they have adopted a baby from China. Manoel Felciano (A.C.T. core actor) is outstanding as the wimpy nerd representing the turkey association. Steven Anthony Jones (A.C.T. core member) lights up the stage in his all too brief appearance as Indian chief Dwight Grackle.

Erik Flatmo has designed a detailed set of the Oval Office. It looks suspiciously like the Bush administration office. Costumes by Alex Jaeger are very good, especially the wild apparel worn by René Augesen. Lighting by Alexander V. Nichols is bright and cheery.

This is an audience-friendly production and theatregoers will love the antics of the president and his staff (on opening night, the audience fairly howled throughout the show).

November will plays through November 22nd at A.C.T. Theatre, Geary Street, San Francisco. For tickets, call 415-749-2ACT or visit www.act-sf.org. A.C.T.'s next production is the annual A Christmas Carol opening on December 3rd and running through December 27th.

Photo: Kevin Berne

A Sharp Production of Mrs. Whitney

The Magic Theatre presents a second play by John Kolvenbach about the hard-drinking divorcée Margaret Whitney. It is five years after the setting for Kolvenbach's Goldfish and the audience finally sees that she has dropped her steely armor to reveal her true romantic core. Kolvenbach has written a crisp, hard-hitting and menacingly funny comedy to complement Goldfish. Both of these comedies had their world premiere earlier this year at South Coast Rep.

Mrs. Whitney focuses on the lioness's tardy resolution to find a mate in her old age. She tracks down her former husband Tom (Ron Gnapp), who is now married to his fifth wife Louise (Arwen Anderson), a very feisty lady. Tom is still an immature philanderer who disappears for weeks at a time. Margaret meets some very interesting characters, including the mousey Francis (Charles Dean) who has a crush on her, and Fin (Patrick Alparone) the energetic college student who is the son of Tom from his second marriage. The kid is a nervous wreck wondering who will be his "mom" whenever he returns from college.

New York actress Patricia Hodge gives a stylish performance as Margaret Whitney. She is of the great old school of acting, and her cool interactions with the characters are perfect. However, these great confrontations are marred by the conversations she has face to face with the audience. These personal monologues in which she bares her soul are unnecessary. Also, her projection is more intimate and difficult to hear.

Once again, Rod Gnapp shines as the charming Tom. His appearance brightens the stage each time he enters a scene. Patrick Alparone gives a winning performance as the high-strung Fin. Charles Dean is wonderful as the erratic Francis. Arwen Anderson gives a tour de force of spirited acting as Louise, with a little bit of homicide in her actions.

John Kolvenbach directs the comedy with a sharpness that brings out the best in all of the actors. Michael Lochner has designed one of the best sets to grace the Magic Theatre stage. It is a highly detailed living room, with a beveled glass door surrounded by a heavy wood frame at the rear of the stage. Alex Jaeger has designed smart costumes for the actors, and lighting by York Kennedy is a great asset.

Mrs. Whitney has played in repertory with Goldfish at the Magic Theatre, Building D, Ft. Mason, Marina Blvd. San Francisco. The closing night for Goldfish was November 8th but Mrs. Whitney will play though November 22nd. For tickets call 415-441-8822 or visit www.magictheatre.org.

A Rootin' Tootin' Production of Destry Rides Again

42nd Street Moon recently presented a rip-roaring production of the little known musical, Destry Ride Again. I had not seen this musical since its opening production at the Imperial Theatre in 1959 with Andy Griffith, Dolores Grey and Scott Brady. It ran 473 performances based on Griffith's popularity at the time. (Producer David Merrick refused opening night tickets to critic Kenneth Tynan to Gypsy because of the critic's negative review of Destry.) There was a brief tour of the musical starring John Raitt and Anne Jeffreys and later a revival in London in 1982 starring Alfred Molina that had hopes to go to New York.

Destry Rides Again is based on the classic 1939 film that starred Jimmy Stewart as Destry and Marlene Dietrich as Frenchy. It's the story of Thomas Jefferson Jr. (Steve Rhyne), a violence-hating sheriff and his feisty love interest, salon entertainer Frenchy (Connie Champagne). It takes place in the frontier town of Bottleneck and was a classic Republic Films cowboy confrontation of good and evil.

Harold Rome's score offers a lot of melodic fun and, although none of the songs became hits, there is no shortage of entertainment value in the score. There is the upbeat yippee ki-yay song "Hoop-de-Dingle" with energetic choreography by Tom Segal; the hummable laid-back "Once Knew a Fella" sung melodically by Steve Rhyne; and the tuneful "I Know Your Kind" and "I Hate Him" sung with great feeling by Connie Champagne.

Dianna Shuster directs a high energy production with a great cast of talented singers and dancers. Steve Rhyne is excellent as the unassuming Destry. He plays the role somewhere between Jimmy Stewart and Andy Griffith, with a great laid-back style in his acting and singing. Connie Champagne gives a first-class performance as Frenchy. She has a vibrant voice in all of her numbers. New York actor Andrew Boyer (Gypsy with Patti LuPone and The Odd Couple with Tony Randall), making his local debut, is perfect as Wash. He reminds me of James Burton in Paint Your Wagon.

Michael Cassidy gives an engagingly smooth performance as the evil Kent, while Tom Orr once again shows his versatility as Sheriff Keogh and Jack Tyndall plus other roles. Robbie Cowan shows off his resonant voice as Gyp Watson. Cindy Goldfield is a hoot playing Rose Lovejoy while Lisa Hensley is fine as Mrs. Claggett and Dimples. The rest of the large cast, including Coley Grundman, Erin Hoffman, Alex Shafer, Ernie Tovar, Jeremy Vik, Rana Weber and Wendell H. Wilson, are well suited to their roles.

Tom Segal has patterned the dances after the original Michael Kidd choreography and, for a small stage and many non-dancers, has developed lively, high-kicking, entertaining dance movements. Diana Schuster's direction is fast paced while set designer Scott A. Wilber has minimally designed the Last Chance Saloon on the intimate stage. Carl Pantle does good back up on the piano.

Destry Ride Again ran through November 15th at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco. Cole Porter's Jubilee runs through December 13th. For tickets call 415-255-8207 or visit www.42ndstMoon.org.

Cheers - and be sure to Check the lineup of great shows this season in the San Francisco area

- Richard Connema