Don't miss this Party

Don't miss this Party

by Miryam Gordon - SGN A&E Writer The War Party Directed by Rita Giomi Seattle Public Theater Through October 19 Two thirds of the new play, The War Party, by Seattle Public Theater, is brilliant - a fascinating, edge-of-your-seat production. Seattle is lucky to have playwright Vincent Delany developing his work here. A senator has just lost her re-election bid after spending $8 million, and it's 3 a.m. and no one is around except a young, idealistic volunteer. Is either what she seems? Is the exhausted and depressed Senator going to eat this volunteer for a late snack? Shellie Shulkin and Shanna Allman hit the nail repeatedly on the head in an intense, emotional exchange about politics and the art of winning or losing. Shulkin is riveting as the powerful senator with experience and world-weariness. Allman seems outclassed, at first, as the naïve believer who would do anything to help her win. As they start drinking multiple bottles of champagne, the seesaw shifts, and maybe the naïve one isn't so naïve after all, and maybe the senator isn't as strong as she appears. The dialogue is funny, sharp, and twists the audience around, until suddenly it's not so funny anymore. You don't quite know what's going to happen next. It's the best kind of suspense. Then the play, which has seemed firmly planted in reality, veers off into a vision of Franklin Roosevelt. I'd love to have a debate with you about whether Roosevelt, as an in-person apparition, is even necessary. Could it work just as well with an invisible voice? Could the revelations or psychological changes work as well if there were no hallucinations at all? Jim Dean, as Roosevelt, is underused, sitting for long periods and simply observing. Rita Giomi's direction gives a crackle and snap, an authenticity to the conversation. The set by Craig Wollam is a perfect campaign headquarters, full of old food, old campaign literature and Formica tables. Costumes by Jeannine Clarke are exactly what a female senator, particularly of the conservative bent, and a young aide might wear. Whether or not you think the last third of the play isn't quite as sharp as the rest, this is a definite political thought-provoker and a must-see, especially for politics junkies. You have to see it so we can have that discussion. And for Lesbians, the sexual tension is thick enough to slice and dice. Will they or won't they? You'll just have to see for yourself. For more information, go to www.seattlepublictheater.org or call (206) 524-1300. Comments on reviews go to sgncritic@gmail.com.

photos by Paul Bestock