“Five Presidents”

Highly Recommended ***** We all have heard the expression “the fly on the wall” used when people are discussing an event that took place behind closed doors. “If I could have been a fly on the wall” has been said in wonder of what they might have heard. You can be that “fly on the wall” for at least 90 minutes as you witness the amazing “Five Presidents” written by Rick Cleveland ( who has been writing political matter such as “West Wing” in addition to many other television shows). The original script was commissioned in 2015, so what we are seeing is revised in order to keep up to date with all of the changes we have gone though. To perfection!

“Five Presidents” takes place in 1994 ( April 27th to be exact) in The Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, California. It is the funeral for Richard Milhous Nixon, 37th President of the United States. As is the case on days like this, all of the living Presidents are at this event, and that is who we are about to meet and listen to. Can you imagine what types of thing could or would be discussed on an occasion such as this? Cleveland takes the things we know about each of the five men and weaves a special “bond” between them.

Under the careful eye of director Marty Higginbottom, we get to meet each of these characters ( even though they were, or are real people, I feel that characters fits), who for the most part would prefer being elsewhere, but must do their duty. After all, they were Presidents! Let me first introduce the set by Grant Sabin. The room is perfect. Anyone who has ever been in a small meeting room with a bar and tables and chairs under a crystal chandelier will say, “I have been there!”.The first to enter the room is Agent Kirby ( Denzel Tsopnang) who does everything a Secret Service man should, but later this character takes the floor for his small speech about the “future” of politics. A fine speech, delivered with great impact. I could tell that many audience members wanted to applaud his words, but for some reason, held back.

The first President we meet is Ford, number 38 (delightfully played by Tom McElroy, who truly captures his persona) followed by Jimmy Carter ( Martin L’Herault who truly looked and sounded like Carter. In fact, at times I forgot it was an actor on the stage). While they are brilliant and one thinks it can’t get any better, in comes #41, George H.W. Bush ( deftly handled by John Carter Brown) and then  #40, Ronald Reagan ( James Leaming does a solid job without trying to imitate). For awhile it is these four men discussing politics, agendas, policies and various other items including beverages they enjoy.

The last to enter this room is #42, Bill Clinton (Stephen Spencer has him down pat) and then more hell breaks loose. Reagan says that all of the Presidents are in reality actors as are all politicians. They say the “lines” they are supposed to in order to retain order amongst their followers. As we listen we see that today’s politics has influenced the changes that Cleveland has made since the play’s inception and they work. One of the lines in this play that truly stands out is “The American people deserve the President they elect”. How true is that?

“Five Presidents” is warm and funny and in my opinion cast to perfection. The details that we see on stage are all, as usual with American Blues Theater, spot on. The lighting (Alexander Ridgers), sound (Warren Levon) and costumes (Michael Alan Stein) are without flaw and the props (Mary O’Dowd) perfect. Each of the actors, being asked to play historical figures that we all have known a great deal about, does a superb job of interpretation. Yet, each brings a little something special to the table. The beauty of this play and story is that Cleveland can keep updating it over the years. There could be other stories like this in the offing. I hope so! If you are not political, that is perfect, too.

“Five Presidents” will continue thru October 19th at Stage 773 located at 1225 West Belmont with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  3 and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $19-$39 and are available at the box office, by calling 773-654-3103 or online at www.AmericanBluesTheater.com

Post show discussions following Sunday performances

on September 22nd-audio described performance

on September 29th open captioned performance

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES: October 14th  7:30 p.m. and October 17th at 2:30 p.m.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Five Presidents”