NEW YORK—Laden with expletives and wonderfully politically incorrect, David Mamet's new Broadway comedy November offers a hilarious look at politics, promises and what's really important in life.
With the U.S. Presidential election less than a week away, the current holder of the office, Charles Smith (a wonderfully bombastic Nathan Lane), has almost no chance of winning a second term. He is wildly unpopular; his own party has deserted him; even Archer Brown (Dylan Baker), his trusted associate, tells him his tenure in the oval office has been a disaster.
Needing money for his presidential library, Smith tries to exhort $200 million from a representative of National Association of Turkey By-Products Manufacturers (Ethan Phillips). But in a moment of inspiration, Smith decides to use to cash to reinvigorate his floundering campaign. This change of mind comes about after his top speechwriter Clarice Bernstein (Laurie Metcalf) comes up with some very stirring prose guaranteed to put Smith back in the race.
However before she'll finish the speech, Bernstein wants a favor. One which is beyond Smith's purview and would probably cost him the election should he consent. As Smith tries to figure a way out of this situation, he also has to deal with two turkeys waiting to be pardoned, a roomful of media, rumors of a nuclear attack on (or by) Iran and a possible outbreak of bird flu. Not to mention a deeply offended Chief of the Micmac Nation (Michael Nichols) who's pursuing his people's claim for the island of Nantucket re the Treaty of Porcupine Cove.
Gleefully spoofing as many political and human circumstances as he can shoehorn into the script (which leaps right off the page thanks to the cast), Mamet makes the point that the President of the United States is simply "a guy in a suit," no more no less. And as most mortal men, he's prone to making mistakes. (Though usually not the ones set forth here.)
Lane makes the most of the hapless president, tossing off comic tirades and witticisms with aplomb. His appeal is such that Smith becomes a guy you have to root for, even though he's almost completely incompetent. Baker is wonderful as the unflappable Brown, and has some of the best one-liners in the piece. Metcalf works well as Bernstein, who's just trying to balance her job with a little personal happiness. Also providing good comic relief are Phillips and Nichols.
Joe Mantello's direction keeps the play moving just right; the set by Scott Pask is very good, and the lighting by Paul Gallo. This one is a lot of fun.
November
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
243 West 47th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Open Run
Running Times: Approximately Two Hours, 15 minutes
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
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