THE OUTSIDER


Things get hilariously out of hand when the seemingly ineffectual lieutenant governor of an unnamed state suddenly finds himself the man in charge in Paul Slade Smith’s The Outsider, a front-runner for the year’s funniest and smartest comedic treat.

Ned Newley (Stephen Rockwell) may have been the behind-the-scenes policy maker these past few years, but if ever there was a man who could not hope to win an election other than on someone else’s coattails, Ned is that man, and had a sex scandal not forced Governor Larry Clarke to resign, the poor fellow would never have been forced to take this morning’s Oath of Office, a televised event during which it took a flustered Ned a full five minutes to reach the part where he was supposed to say “So help me God,” but could only stammer out a strangled “Help me.”

Fortunately, Ned only seems dumb, or at least when speaking with anyone other than his trusted Chief Of Staff Dave Riley (Nikhil Pan).

Unfortunately, public speaking just happens to be one of a Governor’s chief responsibilities, which is why there’s no way Ned could possibly win a special election six weeks from now, and which is also why professional pollster Paige Caldwell (Natalie Storrs) and renowned political consultant Arthur Vance (Jonathan Bray) have been brought on board to turn the world’s worst candidate into someone with at least a ghost of a chance of getting officially elected.

Completing Ned’s staff, though probably only for today, is perennial temp Louise “Lulu” Peakes (Susan Huckle), a woman who could give Murphy Brown’s 93 secretaries a lesson in ineptitude, though her sunny disposition and entirely unmerited self-confidence would probably make her a far better candidate for office than poor, pathetic, albeit smart-as-a-whip Ned, who’s about to be put to the test in today’s live interview with TV reporter Rachel Parsons (Taylor Popoola).

Then again, with political power players like Arthur and Paige on his side, Ned just might stand a chance of turning catastrophe into triumph. (And if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.)

Not only has playwright Smith written as funny a play as I’ve seen in years, its multitude of laughs come not from sitcom-style set-up-and-punch jokes but simply from what happens when folks find themselves in situations they are entirely unprepared for.

It may also be the sharpest and most spot-on statement we’ve yet gotten on the state of politics in this age of social media and sound bites, and if you’ve ever wondered what government is all about (other than a place to send your taxes every April), Ned Newley has an answer that just might bring tears to your eyes.

All of this adds up to a script that reads funny on paper and plays even funnier on stage, particularly as directed with abundant comedic pizzazz by Brian Shnipper and performed by a couldn’t-be-better International City Theatre cast.

The always reliable Rockwell rocks as the initially bumbling, increasingly self-confident Ned, musical theater star Storrs gives Paige a potent blend of political savvy and prickly charm, and Pai’s Dave is so engaging a nerd that I’d cast him as a sitcom lead in a heartbeat.

A dynamic Bray makes Arthur a force to be reckoned with, Popoola’s Rachel exudes intelligence, charm, and romcom appeal, and a terrific Thomas Anawalt (as cameraman A.C. Petersen) goes from monosyllabic to articulate to amusingly unexpected effect.

Funniest and most fabulous of all is Huckle’s featured star turn as a woman who, the more scatterbrained Lulu gets, the more you can’t help but love her.

Last but not least, scenic designer John Patrick, lighting designer Crystal R. Shomph, costume designer Claire Fraser, sound designer Dave Mickey, property designers Patty and Gordon Briles, and hair and wig designer Anthony Gagliardi join creative forces to give The Outsider another Grade-A ICT production design.

The Outsider’s Los Angeles Premiere is produced by caryn desai. Pat Loeb is production stage manager and Miranda Vazquez is assistant stage manager. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA, and Richie Ferris, CSA. Lucy Pollak is publicist.

America may be more polarized today than ever before, but Paul Slade Smith’s The Outsider is that rarity among politics-based comedies, one that unites rather than divides. Not only that, but if you love to laugh as much as I do, I can pretty much guarantee you two hours spent laughing your red, white, and blue socks off.

International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach.
www.InternationalCityTheatre.org

–Steven Stanley
June 23, 2024
Photos: Kayte Deioma

 

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