Beau Willimon’s play Farragut North, now playing at Theatre 68 in North Hollywood, couldn’t be more appropriate in this awful political season, with its mixed bag of honorable politicians and scurrilous liars spewing from the television screens of the citizenry. The play, set in Iowa in the early days of a presidential campaign, features political hacks and some honest citizens. This cunning production starts with a terrific prologue of images showing all the American presidents from George Washington through to George Bush the Second, each with its own campaign song. The action starts in high gear in a meeting room in an Iowa hotel with fast talking male politicos and a female New York Times writer, Ida Horowitz (svelte, smart Amy Motta). The leader of the pack is top political gun Paul Zara (Michael Rubenstone), who exudes a certain Southern positivity. His younger right hand man, press secretary Stephen Bellamy (Chris King Wong), is slick and sure of himself. Also in the room is Ben (K. J. Powell), an underling who is more than one might suppose.
The next day is critical for the campaign and Stephen gets an invitation to pow wow with the enemy. Tom Duffy (Jack Esformes) is the top man of the opposition and wants to head hunt Stephen. Stephen is distracted by one of the young interns, sexy Molly (Camryn Hamm), who has some head hunting ambitions of her own. David-Edward Reyes scores in his cameo roles as an LA Times reporter and a waiter.
Under the direction of Peter Allas, Farragut North is fast paced and wonderfully entertaining; its a big show in a small space. The production is smartly produced with the creativity of costume designer Mylette Nora; lighting designer Matt Richter; sound and graphics by Eric David Tippett; props by Jenine Macdonald; and set and video design by Peter Allas. Steve Wilson manages the stage.
Farragut North is presented by Foursome Productions and co-produced by Peter Allas and Michael Donovan.
Farragut North continues through November 3 with performances on
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm at
Theatre 68 Arts Complex – The Rosalie
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Paul Myrvold's Theatre Notes 