Art After Dark returns to Houma
September 5, 2012
Chartering a Comeback
September 5, 2012
With the 2012 presidential election year well under way, Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne is taking audiences back to the 1960 National Convention in Philadelphia, where two front-running presidential candidates are competing for the nomination of their political party amid dirt-digging, mud-slinging and double-dealing.
Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man,” which opens Sept. 13 at Le Petit, is an amusing but realistic behind-the-scenes look at the race for the presidency in which an “ethical” man runs against an “immoral” man.
Joseph Cantwell, played by Steve Crispino, is the ambitious senator who uses any means possible to gain the upper hand, while Secretary William Russell, played by Doug Holloway, obstensibly exemplifies intelligence and honesty.
“Cantwell is a ruthless candidate for president who will do anything to win,” Crispino says. “I’m willing to win at all costs, but Russell is trying to be a little bit of a better man; but only
a little. I’m the unpolished moral and he is the
polished immoral.”
Cantwell is closely and lovingly supported by his wife, Mabel Cantwell,
played by Jeannette Burke.
“I am a southern, obnoxious, Chatty Cathy, agenda-driven belle,” Burke says. “I want my husband to win because I think he is just wonderful and I swoon when I look at him.”
Just like her husband, Mabel is ready to do whatever it takes to catapult her status to the elite.
“I can be very nasty and cold in my attempt to climb the social ladder,” Burke says. “We’re from humble beginnings and I am ready to move on to better things.”
Don Blades, played by Joel Waldron, is Cantwell’s campaign manager.
“He shares the same win-at-all-costs ideas that Cantwell has,” Waldron says. “It doesn’t matter who you step on, if you win.”
William Russell, on the other side of the race, is simply trying to keep his composure as the educated and moral man.
Russell is not the perfect candidate either. With a strained relationship with his wife, Russell has developed a tendency to stray.
Robyn Hornsby, playing Alice Russell, says although her character has felt alienated for a long time, she remains loyal.
“She is with him because she still loves him,” Hornsby says. “She is still supportive, but definitely has some issues.”
Dick Jensen, played by Scott Courville, is Russell’s campaign manager.
“I think he’s got an agenda of his own and he is willing to do anything to achieve it,” Courville says. “He is very intelligent and very organized. He wants to get into the White House because he has his own plans and he is not afraid to sling mud.”
George Beaudry plays former President Arthur Hockstader, whose support will determine the nominee.
“Whoever he puts his money on will be the candidate for his party,” Beaudry says. “Both of the candidates are flawed in his opinion, but ultimately, one is more flawed that the other. His end goal is just to do what is best for the country.”
Then, there is Sue-Ellen Gamadge, played by Edwina Yakupzack, a chatty and amiable but tough party operative whose job is to dictate and emphasize to candidates and their wives what the female voter does and does not appreciate.
Gore Vidal’s drama about backroom deals and the decline of American politics first opened on Broadway in 1960, receiving six Tony nominations, and was recently revived. Although Vidal wrote this drama about political secrets and ambitious power struggles more than 50 years ago, the storyline fits right into the present.
“The Best Man” was written during a time when party conventions during election years were filled with heated debates that eventually decided the nominations, instead of a congratulatory celebration of a pre-determined nominee.
When Cantwell threatens to smear Russell’s reputation with a rumor about his mental health, Russell must decide to stand his moral ground despite the negative probabilities or to retaliate with an equally devastating blow toward Cantwell to win the presidential ticket.
Director Pat Crochet says the writing is what she likes about “The Best Man” because the plot doesn’t lean too much on either side of the political spectrum.
“This is the perfect time for this show,” Crochet says. “It is about underlying character and values within an election.”
Who will be the best man, amid backstabbing, double-crossing, dirty-dealing and all the games politicians play?
“The Best Man” runs from Sept. 13 to 23 at Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne, 7829 Main St., Houma. Tickets cost $15. For more information, call (985) 876-4278 or visit www.houmalittletheatre.com.
Edwina Yakupzack, Scott Courville and Doug Holloway rehearse “The Best Man” at Houma’s Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne. Holloway plays Secretary William Russell, the “unpolished moral” in the race for a presidential nomination.
