Review: Capital Fringe's LANCER AND LACE Asks What If?

What if the events of November 22, 1963 had never happened?

What if President John F. Kennedy's motorcade had passed peacefully thru Dallas' Daley Plaza?

What if?

Millions have pondered this question and so too does director-playwright James F. Burns in the provocative Lancer and Lace. Making its world premiere at Capital Fringe, the play takes the audience to an alternative universe, one where the assassination never happened and the Kennedys made it to their next scheduled stop, a speech at the Dallas Trade Mart.

What could have been a thoughtful examination of what a Kennedy Presidency could have looked like - would we have withdrawn from Vietnam? Would the Civil Rights Act have gotten passed? Would the sixties still have been as tumultuous? - instead comes off like a cheap political thriller and soap opera.

The play opens with a mysterious Secret Service agent (Zak Webb) checking the Trade Mart green room for the Kennedys. Something is off.

Upon their arrival, President (Michael Brzezinski) and Mrs. Kennedy (Sarah Ulstrup), reflect on the success of their Texas trip, and how the 1964 Presidential Campaign would be his last. As the Kennedy's wait, and wait, and wait, for the Trade Mart event to start, it's clear something is happening.

Sunday's opening performance played to a packed house at Pursuit Wine Bar. More than five decades later, the events of that third Friday in November and the president who was killed that day, still generates immense interest and passion. Lancer and Lace, with its salacious dialogue and parallel universe setting, is divisive. There is no middle ground in terms of reaction to this play. Much will depend upon your view of the Kennedy Administration, Camelot myth and acceptance that Lee Harvey Oswald was the actual assassin.

Burns has done his homework in writing Lancer and Lace. He not only understands the complicated relationship between Jack and Jackie, but also how the president interacted with his staff and whom he relied upon. In writing Lancer and Lace, Burns has gone to great lengths in initially keeping the play grounded in reality.

That is until the story unfolds, and the realization occurs that we are suddenly watching something akin to The Man in the High Castle, a story set in an alternative universe. Suddenly accepted facts, like the death of Hitler, are challenged and we are left wondering about the world where Lancer and Lace is set.

The play takes its name from the Secret Service code names for Jack (Lancer) and Jackie (Lace) Kennedy. Like the real Jackie Kennedy, Ulstrup steals the show.

Dressed in a replica of that famous pink Chanel suit, Ulstrup doesn't just do her best Jackie or Natalie Portman imitation. She makes the first lady her own. Yes, there's the breathy voice, but we see a portrait of a dedicated wife and woman wanting to make up for lost time.

Ultsrup is excellent with Brzezinski, who turns in a stiff performance as the nation's chief executive. In addition to lacking the Kennedy voice, he also lacks the man's charm and charisma. Not helping matters is that Brzezinski's hairpiece has him resembling another famous Massachusetts Democrat, Michael Dukakis.

Brzezinski unsuccessfully tries to make Kennedy his own. This is not for lack of effort or ability. It is just that when playing a historical figure, there are certain limitations.

Webb has the secret service agent look, complete with dark suit and sunglasses, however it is the air of mystery surrounding him that makes this small part memorable. He's never rude to the Kennedys, but his lack of familiarity with the staff, and controlling nature make us realize things are not what they seem. His story is worth expanding upon, especially considering the play's conclusion.

Fifty-four years have passed since John K. Kennedy was assassinated. And yet, we still are as fascinated by the mythology and mystique of the 35th president as ever. We also know the jarring effects his death had on our country, as did the numerous conspiracy theories that arose from that day in Dallas. So watching Lancer and Lace, we can't help but ask why?

Why do we need another story about what could, or did, happen?

Why are we still fascinated by the events of November 22, 1963?

And why does Lancer and Lace want to take the story into a whole other realm?

Like the alternative universe where the story takes place, Lancer and Lace leaves us with more questions than answers.

Runtime is one hour with no intermission.

Lancer and Lace at Capital Fringe is being performed at Pursuit Wine Bar - 1421 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002. For performance times and tickets, please click here.

Photo Credit: Capital Fringe

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