BETTER MAKE THAT LATER
Christopher Shinn clearly understands the American consciousness. In Now or Later, a 2008 one-act which opened at the Royal Court Theatre with a fresh-faced Eddie Redmayne, he offers an engaging discussion in lieu of a play. There’s no dramatic action — characters stand around and present their point-of-view. Shinn’s play is partially about how the President-elect’s son’s seeming carelessness at a college party can upset an entire campaign. Beyond its analysis of the First Amendment and free speech, this important work is also the story of the tumultuous, tenuous relationship between father and son. It is a political junkie’s drama and a great choice to produce at The Hollywood Fringe Festival, because — while it’s smart, effective, and extremely cerebral — this one-act is just too small at 80 minutes (although the producers said 60 minutes) and too chockful of issues for one play to hit regional theaters.
Meet preppy John, the 20-year-old son of the Democrat who has just been elected President of the United States of America, and who almost killed himself at 16, and is stressed following a break-up with his first boyfriend. Sitting in a Southern chain hotel room (which apparently doesn’t need a door), John (Jack McKeever) is alerted by staffer Marc (Brendan Farrell) that blurry photos of John dressed up as the prophet Muhammed have shown up on the internet with Pastor Bob, a getup worn by John’s Ivy League friend Matt (Samuel Garnett). John refuses to apologize on the grounds that it’s a free speech issue — that he’s not an Islamophobe — and soon his mom and newly elected dad will have to pay him a visit at the hotel. Until then, a stream of political animals tries to persuade him to recant publicly using a variety of subtle means, including the larger and louder than life African-American wheeler-dealer, Tracy (Cherish Monique Duke).
That’s a lot for one play, which could have been thrilling. But at The Matrix Theatre, the author of Dying City gives us a play which surprisingly drags. Director Ann Bronston simply cannot make the play tense enough (or create a plausible hotel door). Of course, it’s not all her doing. The play comes alive when Suzanne Ford appears as Jessica, John’s mom. While I wish Ms. Bronston has given her an adjective other than empathetic, Ms. Ford simply electrifies. As does George Kappaz as John Sr. The issue here is that producer Jack McKeever is too green for the role of Junior — it’s a one-note character given one-note delivery and flat intentions. Garnett fares better in intensity, but the long scenes with him and McKeever — who is onstage the entire 60 minutes (sorry 80 minutes) — are tough to get through.
Now or Later
Hollywood Fringe Festival
The Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave
ends on June 25, 2023
for tickets ($15) visit The Fringe
