Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: San Francisco

A Kick-Ass Performance by Kathleen Turner in
Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins

Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Also see Richard's review of Promises, Promises and Jeanie's review of Truce: A Christmas Wish from the Great War


Kathleen Turner
Tony and Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner has brought her one-woman show Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Ivins was a liberal Texas firebrand whose syndicated columns ran in 400 newspapers by the time she lost her battle with breast cancer in 2007. The brassy, sharp-witted political journalist and bestselling author of "Bushwacked" was celebrated for her folksy yet barbed humor.

Turner dominates the stage in this 70-minute production as she prowls the confines of Ivins' squashed domain with a gruff drawl and dressed in blue denim work shirt and jeans. She proceeds to reawaken the humor, by turns rascally and withering, of the columnist beloved in liberal circles for conferring upon George W. Bush the disparaging nickname "Shrub." The show is held together by this consummate artist's magnetism and Ivins' lashing quips. What's most memorable about the performance is the way Turner exemplifies the core of Ivins' impishness.

Kathleen Turner's only stage companion is a silent copy boy played by Michael Barrett Austin who rips the wire reports of Ivins' past stories off a teletype machine.

David Esbjornson's direction is straightforward. John Arnone's set design is evocative, with a series of piled up chairs and desks in the background. A generous collection of family and other photo projections by Maya Ciarrocchi is a great asset for the audience.

Red Hot Patriot is an entertaining slice of American political life for those who want a captivating embodiment of the voice of an extraordinary commentator on the left.

Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel runs through January 4th, 2015, at Berkeley Repertory's Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison Street, Berkeley. For tickets call 510-647-2949 or visit www.berkeleyrep.org. Coming next is the world premiere of KJ Sanchez' X's and O's: a Football Love Story with Jenny Mercein opening on January 16th.


Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com


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

- Richard Connema