Theater
Theater keeps pace with election year

By Misha Berson
Seattle Times theater critic

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The political season is heating up, and so is the political-drama and lampooning season.

As we have reported recently, topical film and stage dramas and comedies related to current events (and the elections) are popping up with unusual frequency, thanks to the inflamed passions of this year's hot contests.

Here's an update on some of the more attention-grabbing theatrical spoofs and polemics being presented in Seattle and beyond.

In New York

The British docu-drama play "Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Freedom," based on oral testimony of post-9/11 detainees at the U.S. detention center in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, opened recently at the Off-Broadway theater 45 Bleecker. Reviewers mostly hailed the show, labeling it "deeply moving" and a "worthy contribution" to the international dialogue on terrorism and justice.

Coming up soon, and addressing another hot-button topic, is "Sin: A Cardinal Deposed," starring Tony winner John Cullum (a regular on TV's "Northern Exposure", which was shot in Western Washington).

"Sin," by Michael Murphy, is based on the depositions of Bernard Cardinal Law, Archbishop of Boston, during investigations into the recent sex-abuse scandals among priests in the Catholic Church. After having well-received runs in Chicago and Boston, the play will get its Off-Broadway debut in October at The New Group.

(Go to www.theatermania.com or www.playbill.com for information on New York shows.)

In London
 
The recent opening of a fresh-off-the-computer David Hare play, "Stuff Happens," drew notices positive enough to suggest it will be imported to the U.S. before long.

In the London newspaper The Observer, columnist Mary Riddell wrote this about "Stuff Happens," which dramatizes White House maneuvers by President George W. Bush, defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and others, leading up to the war in Iraq: "Hare's Bush, neither a fool nor a monster, is just a decent, down-home guy with a Bible-bashing, Texan naivety [sic] that sidesteps caricature and flatters truth ... "

"Far from demolishing [Bush]," Riddell continues, "Hare is explaining ... why the blundering overlord of an illegal war is 11 points clear in the polls and within snatching distance of another term in office."

(See www.albemarle-london.com for details on London plays.)

In Chicago

There are numerous shows with election-year hooks on the boards in the Windy City.

Among them: HotHouse Theatre's mounting of the Vincent Bruckert drama "Political Masks 2004," about how college students get embroiled in issues of patriotism and national security.

And Bailiwick Repertory Theatre describes its production of Tom Mula and Steve Rashid's musical comedy "W!" as "the story of what George W. Bush filmmaker Michael Moore would write if he could sing and dance."

(See www.chicagoplays.com)

In Seattle

On Oct. 8, at the Rebar, Seattle's Open Circle Theater opens "a left-wing spook-house show" by Rik Keller titled "Dubya — A Political Horror." The LA Weekly described the Los Angeles production of "Dubya" as "a grotesque commedia," "horrifyingly prophetic" and "Orwellian lunacy." It plays at the Rebar through Nov. 1.

In the less partisan, more tit-for-tat style of much political mockery these days, Wing-It Productions presents "Election Show 2004," running Thursday and Friday nights at the University Theatre through Oct. 22.

Partly based on audience suggestions, this improvisational parody concocts a fake election, complete with "brutal primary, debates, attack ads and scandals." (Tickets: www.jetcityimprov.com or 206-325-6500).

Also in the equal-opportunity mocking vein: Another visit from The Capitol Steps, who keep refreshing their traveling revue of political parody tunes (Oct. 4 at Seattle's McCaw Hall, details at www.foolproof.org) and "The Seattle Follies: Cabaret with a Political Twist," Town Hall's monthly satirical variety show. On Sept. 28, the bill includes spoofers David and Lisa Koch, talk-show host and congressional candidate Dave Ross and the former host of TV's "Almost Live," John Keister. (Other editions of "Seattle Follies" are slated for Oct. 21 and Nov. 16. Go to www.townhallseattle.org for information.)

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com