THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE OF POLITICS
When you hear the name Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton there are three visceral reactions that may occur. The first is deep respect for a woman who gave her entire life to making American local and federal government better for everyone. The second is patriarchal hatred for a woman stepping out of the kitchen to fulfill a man’s rightful place. The third is a total misconception of who Hillary is as a person and why so many Americans found her detached, hard, and unlikable.
Dezart Performs is rightfully touted as one of the best professional theatres in the desert. Season 17 appropriately kicks off with Hillary and Clinton by Lucas Hnath, a political dark comedy which concerns a strong and maybe too soon political fight to get the most qualified woman into the White House as President of the United States. Hillary and Clinton by Lucas Hnath. With an easy pace, the 85-minute run-time sails by quickly. Accurate or not, this four-person one-act is both entertaining and educational.
The basic “behind-the-scenes” premise is that this is an alternate universe light-years away from our own is a planet called Earth. It looks a lot like our Earth, except it’s slightly different. And living on this other Earth is a woman named Hillary, who is trying to become the president of a country called the United States of America. It’s 2008, and she’s campaigning in a state called New Hampshire. She’s not doing very well in the polls. She needs more money to keep the campaign going, so she calls her husband for help. Her husband being William Jefferson Clinton, her exceptionally charismatic and communicator consort – The 42nd President. There are many visceral reactions to him too, but this is her side of the story.
When Bill arrives at her hotel, she eventually accepts his help in several ways, but she gets more than she has bargained for. Chef strategist campaign manager Mark Penn tries to protect Hillary, while the Clinton’s held varied differences of opinions on how to “humanize” the character created for the voting public. The masses cared more about substance than style. Hillary was running on experience, and ability, not personality. Her main 2008 Democratic competition was immediate golden child Barack Obama, and his meteoric rise as a major concern to her campaign. She was losing delegates, as history and facts confirm during this time. The Apprentice TV reality show host, Donald J. Trump, endorsed Hillary in hopes of lifting her into the lead. The fact that the United States government has typically been a predominantly white patriarchal good-ol’-boys club — the only first-world country that has not had a woman leader — after that 2008 campaign there will surely be a woman President before the year 2025.
Andi Matheny as Hillary resembles the real Presidential nominee in such a way that the low murmurs from the audience about her looks filled the theatre upon her entrance. She brings a quality of strength and a playful wit to this well-known personality that is nicely unexpected. Her performance carries the show and it is outstanding.
As Bill, Brent Schindele is a tall drink of water with extremely handsome good looks. In the play’s description of the character it is asked that the actor playing him doesn’t mimic Bill’s signature southern drawl and lip biting, because that would influence the visceral way an audience reacts. In that case, Schindele is perfectly cast with a bit of the smooth cocky confidence one would believe Bill Clinton had naturally. He is a very good actor who lends that tall shadow of controversy which Hillary’s career could never blossom under. The scene where he makes a strong proposal about their marriage is heartfelt and beautifully acted.
Craig Wroe gives a solid performance as the frustrated campaign manager Mark Penn. Each of his scenes grows more intense as a high-stakes meet-up with Barack becomes imminent to win the election. His well acted resolve with subtle exasperation makes his final scene quite memorable. Napoleon Tavale has one short scene as Obama that seems less developed and more like a throwaway to give the finishing touches to her political coffin. He throws some excellent shade over the Clintons and marvelously portrays Barack as the powerfully dynamic future black leader who made American history.
Director Craig Wells keeps the pace moving quickly with staging that enhances the dialog perfectly. There is a lot of information to unpack in every moment, but each scene is staged to keep it interesting; even when actors are seated it isn’t heavy and bogged down. With so many historical facts to blow the dust off and try to remember, it doesn’t feel preachy and the cheers of the appreciative audience was credit to the light understanding touch of Mr. Wells.
No matter which visceral reaction you have to the names Hillary and/or Clinton this wonderfully acted and directed outing will give you food for thought about the future of this country. Why are American men considered better than American women in a leadership role? Why are women held to a higher moral compass than a man? Maybe if elections stripped away gender and just focused on values, merit and integrity the outcome of the election would have been more fair and balanced.
A lot has passed since Hillary and Clinton premiered in 2016 with a Black actress playing Hillary (it played Broadway in 2018). This existential alternate universe will have you wondering: Is this a retrospective of a political lineage in crisis or a marriage-play between two co-dependent people who bring out the very best and the ultimate worst in each other?
photos by Clark Dugger
Hillary and Clinton
Dezarts Performs
Pearl McManus Theater
Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S Cahuilla Road in Palm Springs
90 minutes without intermission
Fri at 7; Sat and Sun at 2 and 7
ends on November 24, 2024
for tickets ($57-$66, incl. fees), call 760.322.0179 or visit Dezart Performs