Review: A Riveting FROST/NIXON at IRISH CLASSICAL THEATRE

The showman and the politician... No, this is not a description of Donald Trump. But feel free to insert any names you feel appropriate. In this case I am referring to David Frost and Richard Nixon, that unlikely duo that forms the basis of Peter Morgan's intense play FROST/NIXON now playing at Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre.

Richard Nixon was approached by many to tell his side of the story, ripe from his 1974 resignation to avoid impeachment proceedings after wire tapping and break ins at the Democratic National Committee's Offices at The Watergate Hotel in Washington. Nixon was anxious too clear his name. Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" seemed like the first and best choice to interview the defeated President but no..... the English talk show host David Frost, mostly known to the Brits and Aussies, thought a series of interviews with the defamed President could make him a hit in the States. Many factors were against playboy Frost from the outset-- Could he convince the powers that be and Nixon himself that he was the best man for the job, could he find enough funding for the project, and did he have the inherent wherewithal to go head to head with Nixon.

Morgan's play is fascinatingly constructed by surrounding the two men with their own teams of sorts. Nixon's chief of Staff Jack Brennan is at his side throughout. Meanwhile Frost engaged Nixon investigators Jim Reston and Bob Zelnick to help alongside his own television producer John Birt. Morgan allows the action to unfold as a series of interviews, commentaries and behind the scenes discussions in Act I that lead to the actual filming of the interviews in Act II. How much of the conversations are based in fact is unknown, but Morgan does a fine job of heightening the inherent drama already associated with Nixon's public ordeals.

Director (as well as Set, Lighting and Sound Designer) Brian Cavanagh has a cast or pros at his disposal and the result is riveting. Jack Hunter is Nixon. His physical attributes, posture and vocal inflections all serve as a nod to the President who today is more known as a caricature than anything else. Mr. Hunter's portrayal avoids cliche, and imbues the man with a humanity that seems uncharacteristic, but ultimately credible. Besides the well known Victory pose as he leaves the White House, Hunter does not simply rely on an impersonation of Nixon, but delivers a portrayal of a man who commands respect with a larger than life imposing nature.

Adriano Gatto shines as Frost. With this slicked back long hair, bell bottom trousers and wide tie (thanks to costume designer Kari Drozd), Gatto easily treads the fine line between TV larger than life personality and respected tele-journalist. He attempts to maintain a constant and smooth sense of control, even at times where the outcome seems uncertain. Initially out of his element, Frost clearly struggles to be the aggressive inquisitor, but through some last minute research provided by his team he ultimately finds that piece of the puzzle required to break Nixon. He clinches the interview and Nixon offers an apology of sorts.

Peter Palmisano is excellent as Brennan-- every bit the military man who understands the potential consequences that this interview can have for Nixon, politically and mentally. Palmisano is strong and in control while doing his best to protect his friendship with Nixon, but understands this may be the only chance Nixon has to ensure his legacy is more than that of a resigned liar and cheat.

Adam Yellen, despite an unfortunate wig, is all business and fury as Jim Reston. His disdain for the President resonates throughout the play, with the highlight being his actual meting of Nixon on the day of filming. The commentary he supplies literally while shaking his hand lends a bit of humor to the serious event. David Lundy as Birt is convincing as the rag-tag Brit whose goal is to produce the best show possible for Frost. Meanwhile, Matt Witten as Zelnick is the rough edged advisor who pushes the hardest to take Nixon down.

By the time Nixon and Frost actually sit down for filming, the audience is primed and ready. Cavanagh helps to build the tension with dramatic lighting and a simplistic set of an elevated platform bearing the stars and stripes. With a series of breaks during the interviews to reload film, Cavanagh has the actors routinely switch seats facing each other, allowing the audience to see all sides of the men. Both men are twitchy nervously drinking water, Frost slouching in his seat while Nixon's propensity to excessive sweating allows him a handkerchief than he demands never be seen by the TV audience. The involvement of the theatre audience at the Sunday matinee was intense, as they actually responded with snickers and gasps as Nixon tried to defend himself. Forty years later Americans still hold strong feelings toward the former President, whose success with foreign policy will forever be overshadowed by the Watergate scandal. An epilogue shows the two meeting at Nixon's home in California well after the interviews have aired and suggests a mutual respect had developed between them. Nixon was now somehow at peace and may have become thankful to clear the air, despite it's consequences. And Frost's career simply soared. Both men in some way succeeded in what they set out to achieve.

FROST/NIXON plays at Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre through March 24, 2019. Contact irishclassical.org for more information.

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