In a disgraced governor’s office, his short-term appointee lieutenant governor must stand for a special election. Ned Newley would probably be best person in the job but he’s not (at least yet) a best candidate. He hasn’t outstanding personality or ability to speak publicly. Nor is he physically very attractive. He is definitely “The Outsider” in the office. The so-named play has Ned being groomed to win by experts in politics, but their teachings are self-centered and dramatically farcical.
Sheffield Chastain adds to his star roles at Florida Studio Theater by making the present one worthy of office, despite lacking the personality that apparently appeals to voters. Heather Patterson King as polster Paige Caldwell has nicely compiled the facts about that and will advise Gil Brady’s Dave Riley, chief and good Governor’s aide, on the matter.
Riley calls in Roy Stanton’s formidable Arthur Vance, an expert on political grooming. Vance will use everything from sweetness to force to a use of flash cards to try to make Ned attractive to average voters as a candidate, no matter what he might want to do as a winner. Stanton’s Vance comes off as clever but a bit of a villain.
Eileen Ward plays to the hilt Louise Peakes, hired to assist Riley and Vance. Louise is a dingbat who has never been kept on a job for more than a day. Her patriotism exceeds her stupidity and brings her into both sympathy and conflict with Ned. Director Kate Alexander, known for her excellent direction of women, proves unparalleled in doing that with Ward’s Louise Peakes. She’s another important outsider.
Ned and Louise are not only challenged by each other and Vance (who wants them to unite as candidates) but also by a TV “news” team. Tatiana Williams as TV interviewer Rachel Parsons aims to be a real, better reporter. She wants her camera man (Kevin Christaldi’s mild A. C. Petersen, who just wants to do his job) to read her papers and back her in her ambitions, especially the ones she posits as intellectual.
The play presents well various facets of political ambition, desire for political power to help average people/voters or not, effectiveness of publicity in electing people and those who might control them, and the importance of media in politics. But its serious subjects are handled very well by comedic action throughout. The change in designers Curley-Clay’s governor’s office for Act II is outright laughable.
Costumes are especially appropriate. Lighting changes correctly. So does sound, but it’s sometimes a bit louder than necessary.
Despite the farcical tone of most of the play, director Kate Alexander resisted having doors banging or people making entrances that surprise each other. She has her actors aiming for a happy ending at every point when they could be seriously tragic. So does The Outsider finally end happily or not? I think it’s certainly worth seeing to find out.
