Nixon's Nixon leaves 'em laughing!
Nixon’s Nixon leaves ‘em laughing at the Lesher Center as Nixon and Kissinger are center stage once again!
Close to home, in Walnut Creek, the Center REPertory Company under the direction of Michael Butler, is bringing to local audiences an outrageously funny satire about the discussion that might have transpired (but probably didn’t) in the Lincoln sitting room of the White House late in the evening of August 8, 1974 between President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. This was the night before Nixon resigned the presidency.
Many volumes have been written over the years hoping to shed light on the unique relationship between “Tricky Dick” Nixon, his staff and his artful political associate, Henry Kissinger. “All The President’s Men” and “The Final Days” by Bob Woodard and Carl Bernstein, and “Kissinger”, by Walter Isaacson, delve skillfully into the many events leading up to and through the self-destruction of a presidency.
As you probably remember, Richard Nixon faced impeachment by the House of Representatives for crimes committed by Nixon and his staff over a period of several years, and in his attempted cover-up of his knowledge and complicity in the Watergate break-in and “bugging” of the Democratic Party offices.
What if you could have been a fly on the wall, listening to the fateful discussions that took place in that room, as Nixon and Kissinger discussed the fate of Nixon’s presidency and his legacy? Faced with certain ouster, was Nixon more willing to fight the charges than to admit defeat in becoming the first and only President to resign his office? Well, this play’s author Russell Lees has taken a lot of liberties with the president’s character, personality and dead-pan humor, to bring us a jaundiced jolt in the juggler vein of comic journalism, in this decidedly adult off-color comedy (interspersed with a lot of crude language).
Director Michael Butler has chosen his two man team of actors with great care. Andrew Hurteau portrays Nixon very well and Steve Irish, plays Kissinger with equal finesse and perspicacity. Nixon is played as a man somewhat out of step with reality and Kissinger, a carefully calculating politician, determined to find solidarity with the replacement administration, headed by Vice President, Gerald Ford. It is a well balanced bashing, touching on Nixon’s accomplishments, his sadness, his tenacity and at the same time, his final resignation to the reality of the situation.
The trip is a delightful trip down memory lane, at the same time it is an evening of comedy and high entertainment. References abound to Nixon’s dealings with Communist Party Chairman Leonid Brezhnev, Peoples Communist Party of China Chairman Mao Zedong, Chancellor of West Germany Willy Brandt and White House Chief of Staff Alexander Haig.
The acting is really quite superb! Even a small opening role of a Marine (played by Mike Taylor) who brings a projection screen out on the stage and with a grand flourish, similar to a drill instructors rifle demonstration, twirls the projector.
There are many elements that make this play a real winner, but one of the most apropos elements, is the grandly off-kilter set, emphasizing the off-kilter nature of the story. Set designer Scott Weldin has excelled in the set design. The costume designer, B. Modern and the Lighting Designer, Kurt Landisman have contributed significantly to this memorable production as well.
Nixon’s Nixon plays Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m., now through March 1st. Call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) for ticket and reservation information or visit their website at www.centerREP.org for more information. Tickets are also available at the Barnes and Noble book store ticket counter in Walnut Creek, The Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts is located at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. The public parking next door is very reasonable and often very busy, so come to the theatre a little early, for easier parking.