A Review

Happy Horseshit

By R. J. Donovan

Coincidentally in time for the elections, Lyric State Company of Boston is presenting David Mamet's political comedy, "November."

The central character is a corrupt, lame duck president who speaks without thinking, looks without seeing and listens without hearing. ("November" debuted on Broadway just last season as a showcase for Nathan Lane in the role of the bungling Commander In Chief.)

Inept President Charles Smith (Richard Snee, at left) is only days away from an election that could keep him in The White House. Except that he's out of money and can't buy ads. So nobody knows he's running. Which is probably just as well because the public hates him. With a passion.

When he asks, "What is it about me that people don't like?" The answer is: "That you're still here."

With his speech writer already throwing in the towel and compiling his concession address, the President is beside himself that, in addition to being run out of town, he's facing NOT having a Presidential Library to honor his achievements -- such as they are. Again, no moola for the construction.

On top of this, he's juggling indian casino hot buttons, same-sex marriage issues, a wife who calls with the regularity of a Verizon telemarketer and the glum task of pardoning turkeys in a ridiculous photo-op for Thanksgiving.

With his pockets turned inside out, he suddenly sees a way to fill the coffers, buy airtime and maybe even get a library out of the deal. But it involves duplicity, selling out his staff and destroying one of America's most beloved holiday traditions.

Mamet is known for such gritty pieces as "Glengarry Glenn Ross" (for which he won the Pulitzer) and "American Buffalo." "November" is more like Neil Simon with Tourette's. That said, Daniel Gidron directs the production with an enthusiasm that keeps the train chugging.

While it's all funny (in an f-bomb, racist, sexist, politically incorrect sort of way), it plays more like an extended television sketch than a fully formed stage play. The President hits rim shot after rim shot, but there's not a real sense of character. Nor does the premise ever blossom into something larger (or deeper).

As the President with a minimum of functioning brain cells, Richard Snee plays it straight. In other words, he delivers the lines with an air of the insanity making perfect sense.

With a massive head cold from her recent trip to China where she's adopted a baby, the President's lesbian speech writer, played by Adrianne Krstansky (far left), wants her life and life relationship validated. Further, she shows she's learned from the master when she chooses to barter a deal in her favor. The glitch here is why the only level-headed character in the bunch would stand for the appalling homophobic remarks she's subjected to by her boss.

Will McGarrahan (above, far right) is Archie, the President's cool-as-a-cucumber right hand man who asks and answers in a staccato style that ultimately shows who's really running things. Neil A. Casey is the the head of the Turkey Council (and perpetrator of the Turkey Pardon). And Dennis Trainor, Jr. is Chief Dwight Grackle, representing the concerns of Native Americans everywhere with a roulette wheel and a blow dart.

Special note goes to Set Designer Jenna McFarland Lord who delivers another great playing space, replicating The Oval Office.

As the political race continues, and as yet another innane Thanksgiving photo-op is probably being planned on Pennsylvania Avenue, art imitates life at Lyric Stage. And vice versa.

"November" is at Lyric Stage Company of Boston, 140 Clarendon Street, through November 15. For information, call 617-585-5678.

-- OnStage Boston