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Weekend
By Gore Vidal
Directed by Damon Kiely
At Timeline Theatre
615 W. Wellington
Chicago, IL
Call 773-281-8463 www.timelinetheatre.com
Tickets $25 Wed-Fri; $35 Sat & Sun.
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 4 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through October 12, 2008
Ageless political comedy unfolds as a clever work
As the 2008 Presidential elections loom, Gore Vidal’s 1968 political comedy, “Weekend” could be a premier of things to come this year. This 40 year old play contains Vidal’s sharp political wit and his amazingly astute understanding of the Presidential players of the 60’s. His comments about Nixon, Reagan, Humphrey, Johnson and Bobby Kennedy prove to be both funny and right on. Vidal demonstrates his storytelling ability as well as his stinging dialogue that succinctly makes his philosophical points with brilliant language. “Weekend” is both a funny work as well as a cleverly plotted story.
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“Weekend” tells the story of moderate Republican Senator MacGruder (Terry Hamilton) as he is about to announce his candidacy for the Presidency in 1968. We see that MacGruder is a patrician surrounded by a dotting wife, Estelle (Penny Slusher) a most loyal staff led by Miss Wilson (Juliet Hart) and Norris Blotner (Ian Paul Custer). MacGruder is wooing the ultra-conservative Senator Andrews (Tom McElroy) and his wacky wife (the hilarious Janet Ulrich Brooks) as he lays out his strategy to capture the Republican nomination for the Presidency. MacGruder’s plan is solid as he has the killer instincts necessary for national politics.
Things are moving along nicely until Beany MacGruder (Joe Sherman), the incorrigible 25 year old son returns from Paris with his fiancée, Louise Hampton (Mica Cole). The problem is that Louise is African-American and in 1968, a Black-White marriage in his family wouldn’t help a white Republican get the Presidential nomination. Beany and Louise have a plan of their own to get the Senator’s money since Beany’s graduate fellowship feel through. Add the fact that Louise’s parents are rich conservative professionals also against inter-racial marriage and good Republicans. When Roger (Sean Nix), the MacGruder’s butler tells his evangelical sister about Beany’s marriage plans, the event instantly becomes national news that threatens all plans.
In a series of complicated, yet plausible plot twists, Vidal’s “Weekend” unfolds as a funny and shocking work that deals with prejudice, blackmail, self-righteousness and opportunism. We how smart handlers, determined politicians, and their siblings maneuver to both save the day and attain their goals. 
This play easily relates to today’s politics. Director Damon Kiely has cast a terrific ensemble led by the polished Terry Hamilton as Senator MacGruder. Penny Slusher is perfect as the dotting wife while Joe Sherman does excellent work as the glibly obnoxious son. Janet Ulrich Brooks steals several scenes as the wacky bigot. The regal set (by Keith Pitts) depicts the affluent Republican patrician. This seldom produced political gem is razor sharp political wit that contains rich humor. It is also a scary cautionary tale about trusting the smooth, to-good-to-be-true Presidential candidate. Gore Vidal’s 1968 play could have been written this year. You’ll laugh and you’ll leave the theatre ready to discuss this play. Once again, Timeline Theatre mounts a worthy play. Now that they are an Equity theatre company, they have raised their level of excellence.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocrritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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