Are you coming with, or staying behind?

October 1, 2010 - by Renee Cameron

That is the question Port City Playhouse asks as it begins its  33^rd season with the political drama, Farragut North,  written by Beau Willimon. The relatively new play makes its DC area debut with this production, but has already enjoyed success in New York. In addition, it will soon travel to Hollywood to become a motion picture, directed by George Clooney.

The story centers around Stephen (Adam Downs), a bright, young press secretary during a presidential primary. Stephen thinks he is a master of the spin game, only to realize how quickly the game can turn on you. Downs gives a very natural and earnest performance. He makes Stephen likable even as you watch him question his morals and loyalties.

Other notable performances are given by Cal Whitehurst who plays Tom Duffy, the crooked campaign manager for the competing primary candidate, and Shelagh Roberts who plays Ida, a New York Times reporter. Roberts certainly had that obnoxious New Yorker down to a T.

The cast is also joined by a series of guest appearances by local politicians playing the bartender. A different guest joins each performance including Tom Davis, Mike Gravel,  Frank Fannon, Lonnie Rich, Bill Euille, and Jim Moran.

The minimalistic set, designed by Robin Parker, was able to seamlessly transform from scene to scene and lent itself well to some interesting staging. Often a set piece from the previous scene was integrated into the next and served a completely different function than it had before. For instance a piece used as a bar then doubled as a headboard in a hotel room. Although creative, the set as a whole looked somewhat barren due to the use of only furniture and no background pieces.

The sound design by David Correia was also sometimes questionable. Sound cues underscored some scene changes and were not always effective in setting the mood of the next scene. CNN sound bites were appropriate, but hearing commercials for stores like Kohl’s included in those sound bites often drew you out of the performance. However, the choice of several patriotically themed songs helped bring you back.

Eddie Page, the show’s director has directed and assistant directed at other companies locally, but makes his Port City Playhouse debut with this production. Overall he put up a fine show and one that the political junkies of the DC Metro area are sure to enjoy.

Farragut North  runs for one more weekend at the Lee Center for the Performing Arts, 1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For more information please http://www.telgo.com/pcp/home.html or call (703)838-2880. 

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