By Ron Levitt

Florida Media News
ENV Magazine

CORAL GABLES, FL – It seems as if GableStage’s brilliant director Joseph Adler has collected a bunch of the bright young South Florida acting talent on one stage, melded them with three terrific veteran performers, found a stimulating play about politics and turned the mixture into one of the area’s best 2009 productions.

The only criticism one might have of Farrragut North is the timing of this production about American fast lane political shenanigans. What a coup it would have been to bring this play onstage in the midst of an election year. However, if you are nostalgic for election coverage or a political junkie who thrives on what is going on inside campaigns, Farragut North will be your quick fix, just as it was for New York audiences who received it as a post-election triumph back in 2008.

Written by a knowledgeable political operative Beau Williams, Farragut North (named as homage to the busy Washington D.C. ineighborhood where lobbyists hang out) ) seems to have been scripted as if the playwright had been taking notes on the campaign trail. Actually. Williams was a media expert to several Democratic candidates in recent years. This play is a judicious look at what goes on behind the scenes in the national political arena. Suffice it to say, it rings with the same political reality and fresh accuracy of The Best Man, the stunning play by Gore Vidal which came out in 1960. This is obviously the best play with a political theme since that time.

It’s set against the backdrop of a presidential primary when a young press staffer (Nick Duckhart ) – wise beyond his 25 year chronological age – teams up with a veteran campaign guru Paul (the award-winning, always on target Gregg Weiner ). They are certain that their shrewd manipulation can steer them – with their charismatic candidate – directly into the White House. But, that lust for power is thwarted by a veteran operative of another candidiate (Robert Strain) and a seductive intern (a lovely Betsy Graver ). Then, of course, there is a New York Times journalist ( a terrific Deborah Sherman ) who manipulates politicians and is manipulated in return, That synopsis may be a bit short on its overall content, but that storyline – peppered with its inside look at campaign tactics and the playwright’s sharp, keen, bright script — just about tells it all. Farragut North is timely, interesting and a delight to those who find intrigue or drama in electioneering or ever have been involved in supporting a political candidate,

Artistic chief Adler has put together a fresh and exciting cast. Several members of the cast are fairly recent graduates of the New World School of the Arts (Duckhart, Graver, David Hemphill and David Sirois). Duckhart is on stage almost constantly and his portrayal may well be a break out performance for the young actor. He is so real, so charismatic, that he is totally believable as the young staffer hoping to take himself into the West Wing. Duckhart only recently wowed audiences at Boca’s Caldwell in “The Whipping Man” and in “Torture” at Mosaic – and with this performance in “Farragut” firmly establishes his credentials

And, wait until you meet Graver, who dominates the scene as the sexually assertive intern who takes on supposedly clever politicos. She is stunning! And the two Davids –Hemphill and Sirois — both of whom have supporting roles in this two-hour delight but are in awe of working with this director — could sit well as stars in their own right, a nod to the perfect casting by Adler, the most revered Carbonell winning chieftain in South Florida. Hemphill and Graver recently got glowing notices in “The Glass Menagerie”at Broward Stage Door and Sirois, an accomplished playwright and actor, added praiseworthy news clippings for his starring role in Sexual Perversity in Chicago, a David Mamet play at the Alliance Theatre Lab in Miami Lakes.

Of course, veteran performers such as the soft-spoken but dynamic Gregg Weiner — coupled with Deborah Sherman and Robert Strain – cannot be over looked, even when we praise the newer set of actors. Again, it is perfect casting!

The usual suspects – Sean McCllelland for his managable sets, Jeff Quinn for his lighting and Matt Corey for sound technique — add to the luster of this winning production.

There are all sorts of verifiable news items floating around about the future of this play. The latest one is that Actor George Clooney will take on the filming of Farragut North in 2010, with himself in the director’s chair and Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. If so, he probably should consider making Adler his advisor- sidekick to keep it in the “ movie powerhouse” department and consider a trip here within the next few weeks to see how a capable, energetic group of actors make this story so eye-worthy. Such a visit may be an education in professional theatre at its best.

Farrragut North runs through January 24. Call 305 445-1119 for tickets now. Tickets for this show could be in hot demand. You won’t want to miss it.