Interact's Handsome State of the Union @ NoHo Arts Center

State of the Union
by Russel Crouse and Howard Lindsay
directed by Anita Khanzadian
Interact Theatre Company @ NoHo Arts Center
through October 31

Lindsay and Crouse, of Sound of Music and Anything Goes fame, won a Pulitzer for their comedy sendup State of the Union, about the politically crucial time 1946-47, in which Harry Truman reigned as President and war/devastating economic crises faced the world. Sound familiar? Despite a difference of sixty plus years, it could easily be 2010. Conditions have not changed, nor have bad politics, making State of the Union a timeless classic and Interact's - now in its 20th anniversary season - class-A production one great big hit.

I found the play less comedic, perhaps because I was so mesmerized on the serious side by the wonderfully crisp dialogue and pertinent issues being discussed. The farmers versus the money men, labor versus management, democrats versus republicans, the whispering campaign and silent money, all of it was so fascinating and the characters so real, I hung on every word of the brilliant script. What emerges as witty comes purely out of character and our understanding of the true nature of these people, despicable or otherwise.

The entire ensemble under Anita Khanzadian's fluid direction are a marvel. Don Fischer is forthright and true blue as Grant Matthews, D.J. Harner - a stunning actress - sympathetic and honest as his lovely wife Mary, Tracy Powell beautiful and cunning as Kay Thorndyke and James Gleason so disgustingly manipulative as Conover. Also outstanding in featured roles are Eddie Jones, Mimi Cozzens - wonderful as both Norah the Irish maid and dirty-dealing politician Mrs. Draper, James Calvert, Steven Connor great as Judge Alexander and proving that an actress can be memorable in only one scene: Liz Herron as Lullubelle Alexander, the life of the party.

Set design by Joel Daavid and costumes by Meagan Evers are period perfect and the set changes from Washington to Detroit to New York in three acts work beautifully with the functional yet plush set pieces.

This is a classy play and handsome production not to be missed. There could not possibly be a better start for the Interact's 20th season!

 

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