by Frank O’Donnell
In 1990, playwright Anna Deavere Smith assembled an oral history related mainly to occupants of the White House. Called “House Arrest,” it is a collection of actual quotes from real people, mostly connected in one way or another with our nation’s presidential residence.
Kevin Broccoli’s Epic Theatre Company has taken this one-person show and “transformed (it) into a riveting ensemble piece featuring some of Rhode Island’s finest actors.”
“We are all clowns,” says Studs Terkel, a liberal commentator from the 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, “and that’s what it’s all about.” Beautifully played by Greg Geer, Terkel serves as the show’s bookends – opening and closing the play.
We meet players like George Stephanopoulos, Thomas Jefferson, Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, presidential speechwriter Peggy Noonan and more. Many of the pieces focus on the troubles of being the man behind the desk in the Oval Office, the transition from men whose secrets remained secrets to men who’ve become Celebrities in Chief.
There are a few side roads traveled in the show, straying away from the main topic, but not annoyingly so. The interesting part is that it stops at Bill Clinton’s presidency (Clinton also played masterfully by Geer). So much of what’s said rings true today, and much more loudly.
Director Jonathan Pitts-Wiley keeps the show moving quickly, with 18 actors playing 39 parts with simple costume or body language changes. As one character wraps up, another is introduced, taking center stage. Stellar performances all around, with special nods to Andrew Conley, Nancy Winokoor and Hannah Lum.
[Epic Theatre Company presents “House Arrest” this Friday and Saturday only, at Theatre 82 in Cranston. Tickets can be purchased at www.artists-exchange.org/epictheatrecompany.html.])
