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Writing for Us
A CurtainUp Review
Election Day
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You do like your politics. —Adam.
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Michael Ray Escamilla & Lorenzo Pisoni
(Photo: Joan Marcus) |
Brenda (Katharine Powell) is a sharp Type-A professional woman using her vacation time to campaign against Jerry Clark, a mayoral candidate in her unnamed city. She's convinced the town will go to hell in a handbasket if he's elected. Her nebbishy boyfriend Adam (Adam Green) couldn't care less about the election, but he gamely pretends to for her sake. And so, election day finds her out campaigning bright and early, leaving Adam to move his things into their new joint apartment. He calls upon his flaky but good-hearted sister, Cleo (Halley Feiffer), to help.
Cleo has gotten involved with an environmental terrorist group, fronted by Edmund (Michael Ray Escamilla). However, she's more interested in Edmund than the cause. When Jerry Clark (Lorenzo Pisoni) himself comes calling, soliciting last-minute votes from Adam and Cleo, things turn manic and culminate in a showdown between all the characters.
Though it lacks any real substance, Election Day is a warmhearted, funny play. Playwright Josh Tobiessen can spin together clever and antic scenarios, but to what end? Audiences will be no more interested in politics or the election process than they were before. Not that they need to be, though one senses that Tobiessen is struggling for a larger message— one he fails to articulate.
The small cast works well together, though Lorenzo Pisoni as Clark is the standout. Though all have mini-epiphanies at the end, the other characters are largely one-dimensional and their acting is competent and in the case of Katharine Powell's Brenda, occasionally strident. Pisoni's Clark is just twisted enough to be dangerously charming. He's like the star of some Eastern European dark comedy, the sort of politico who talks you into doing things you don't want to do before you realize what's happening.
Director Jeremy Dobrish keeps things moving swiftly. In the play's best part, the frenetically hilarious ending, he cleverly balances the black humor with the more farcical elements. The frequent scene changes often seem unnecessary. Pisoni is a talent to watch and you'll have to look far for another play that features both Molotov cocktails and fur-lined handcuffs.
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Election Day Written by Josh Tobiessen Directed by Jeremy Dobrish With Michael Ray Escamilla, Halley Feiffer, Adam Green, Lorenzo Pisoni and Katharine Powell Costume Design: Mattie Ullrich Lighting Design: Michael Gottlieb Scenic Design: Steven Capone Sound Design: Jill BC DuBoff Running Time: Eighty minutes, no intermission Second Stage Theatre Uptown, McGinn/Cazale Theatre, Broadway and 76th Street; 212-246-4422 Monday through Friday at 8 pm and Saturday at 2 and 8 pm; 2 pm on Wednesday, August 15th Through August 25th Reviewed by Jenny Sandman based on August 7th performance |
Wicked Tickets
Jersey Boys Tickets
Little Mermaid Tickets
Lion King Tickets
Young Frankenstein Tickets
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
>
Jersey Boys Tickets
Little Mermaid Tickets
Lion King Tickets
Young Frankenstein Tickets
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
>