Bringing "Tip" to Life: According to Dick and Ken

Now through July 13 with a press opening on June 27, the New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, Mass., is staging the world premiere of According to Tip, a one-man play featuring stage and screen star Ken Howard as the inimitable, sometimes irascible, but always indefatigable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill. Written by long-time Boston political pundit Dick Flavin, According to Tip marks the 50-year career, and the world history it spanned, of one of the most colorful and effective political figures of the 20^th century. Drawing from Tip's own words and Congressional records, from research based on John A. Farrell's biography titled "Tip O'Neill and the Democratic Century," and from his own personal knowledge at having known and reported on the man for 20-plus years as a television commentator, Flavin has fashioned what he hopes will be a vibrant theatrical piece with a long shelf life.

BroadwayWorld.com caught up with Flavin and Howard recently during breaks from their second week of rehearsals. Gregarious, intelligent, and very well informed, they both shared their views on the play, the process of bringing a new work to fruition, and the man they hope to bring to life on stage.

"Tip was an American original, a unique character whose political career went from the streets of Cambridge to the internet age," says writer Flavin when asked why he chose the local hero as the subject of his first play. "He was a part of all of the watershed issues in American politics of the 20^th century – from battling as a freshman state representative against loyalty oaths during the Red Scare to being the first Democrat to oppose LynDon Johnson and the Vietnam War to his role in the Watergate investigations to his days battling Ronald Reagan. He was the last of a breed of politicians who could fight against you tooth and nail all day on the House floor but have a drink with you at night as a friend."

Flavin, whose humorous political commentaries poked fun at the foibles as well as the virtues of his prominent subjects, believes that Tip is the kind of man whose life lends itself to dramatization. He says that O'Neill knew that politics was entertainment and that, as a public figure, he was always on stage.

"Politics really is performance art," Flavin says wryly. "It is grand theater, so it was a natural step for me to create a play that deals with that arena. And writing Tip became an epiphany for me of sorts. My writing has always been more suited to the spoken word versus what's printed on the page, so I found that I am really comfortable writing for actors.

"It's been an educational process, though," he continues. "I spent three months doing my research and three months writing my first draft and I thought, 'Ok, my work is done.' Well, seven full years later it is still a work in progress. We're making changes as we rehearse. I suppose it won't stop until the curtain goes up on press night."

Flavin credits Ken Howard and Rick Lombardo, producing artistic director of the New Rep in Watertown, as key contributors who have helped him shape his play for performance. He says their professionalism and tremendous insights have enhanced the theatricality of the piece without sacrificing accuracy or authenticity.

"I feel very blessed to be working with Ken and Rick," Flavin states. "The respectful way in which they treat each other – and me – makes for a joyous rehearsal process. We're all on the same page looking to achieve the same end, and we're having fun doing it. This is a tremendous amount of work, for the actor especially. Ken is like Karl Wollenda, up there without a net. It's inspiring to watch him and Rick work."

Howard gives equal praise to Lombardo and Flavin. A veteran of stage, screen and television who studied at Yale School of Drama under Robert Brustein in the late 1960s and then was brought by Brustein to Harvard in 1986 to teach Acting and Oral Argument, Howard knows talent when he sees it. And he sees it in rehearsal for Tip.

"Lombardo's input is fabulous," says Howard, speaking with the kind of passion, authority and resonance that make one easily see him playing the former Speaker of the House. "Do you know how many guys are directing in LA, making millions of dollars, who can't hold a candle to Rick? Lots. And Flavin is fast. We'll suggest changes, asking him to capture how Tip felt in a certain situation, and 10 minutes later we have new pages. I can't remember the last time I was involved in such a creative process. It's a little scary. It's been a long time since I've done anything like this. But it's a great challenge."

Howard, who is perhaps best known for originating the role of Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and for playing basketball coach Ken Reeves in the 1978-1981 TV series The White Shadow, was drawn to the role of Tip the first time he read the script. An obvious student of American politics – and a self-professed Democrat who is so liberal that he laughingly says he is "practically a Leninist" – he has tremendous respect for the dedication and dogged determination O'Neill showed in fighting for the common man.

"Tip was the last of a breed of back room politicians who could get things done in a back-slapping, good-natured way," says Howard. "He was never out of office for 50 years, going from the Curley era when Democrats were in charge to the Reagan era when Republicans made 'liberal' a dirty word. But Tip wore that badge proudly, and even though he could be forceful – at one point in the play he talks about chasing a group of representatives into the men's room to get the vote – over time he became endearing to people. I think people are going to come away from this play learning a number of things they didn't know, but also being very entertained."

Both Howard and Flavin have high hopes that According to Tip will enjoy life after the New Rep world premiere. While Tip may have said that "all politics is local," his life, career, persona, and the history that he influenced made an impact on the entire world.

"I wouldn't have written Tip if I had not felt that it can play beyond the Boston area," Flavin says. "After all, Streetcar plays beyond Louisiana. If there are universal truths, and it's good enough, it will resonate with people. I think it's a natural to play in Washington, and in Dublin, as well. Tip was a hero in the peace process there, plus the city has a rich political and theatrical heritage. So it seems like a good fit. If we can play well there and come back to this country with good international reviews, there's no telling where this might go."

Howard likes the play's chances for success, as well. "I think it has the right feel to it," he states. "It has humor, it takes you on a journey, it's touching at the end, and at 90 minutes without an intermission, it's very palatable. It makes you feel that you are inside Tip's mind, sharing what he normally wouldn't say in public. It has the feeling that this life takes place in a special time, and by reliving and experiencing his 50 years in politics with him, you feel you've learned something and are moved by his sense of purpose.

"The timing is also so perfect," he continues. "What this country is going through now is eerily similar to what Tip fought during the Johnson and Reagan administrations. A number of times when I'm up there talking about Vietnam and cutting Social Security, it's chilling how it resonates with the issues we face today. I really think this play should move on. I'd definitely stay with it for a future run."

Tickets to According to Tip are $35-55 and are available by calling 617-923-8487 or online at www.newrep.org. Student rush seats are $13. The New Rep performs in the Mosesian Theater located at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Mass.

PHOTOS: Ken Howard as Tip O'Neill; Dick Flavin; Ken Howard

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