Review: The People’s Choice (Genesis Theatrical)

  
  
The People’s Choice

Written by Philip Pinkus
Directed by Christopher Goldman
National Pastime Theater, 4139 N. Broadway (map)
thru Oct 25  |  tickets: $15   |  more info

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Genesis solves the nation’s debt crisis in two acts

Genesis Theatrical Productions presents

The People’s Choice

Review by J.H. Palmer

Genesis Theatrical Productions presents The People’s Choice, an original work by Philip Pinkus, that puts a satirical spotlight on the issues of the day; namely, the debt crisis and the politicking in our nation’s capital that seems to be going nowhere fast. Act One introduces the players: The President (Brandon Galatz) and his sidekick the Secretary of the Treasury (Michael Wagman, who appears in the second act as a Presidential dummy), strategize how to get the President re-elected when they cross paths with by Pam (Stefanie Johnsen) and Sam (Holly Robison) who together form a spin team that busily hatches outlandish plots on how to secure the President’s second term. Senator Cantwell (Joe Dusek) provides a straight man to the President’s outrageous plans that include selling airtime to corporate sponsors in order to make more of the American public tune in to the televised cable coverage of congressional and senatorial proceedings, and changing the format to resemble daytime drama. Becky Lang does double duty as the sultry spokesmodel for various corporate sponsors and as the reporter who dogs the President as he wrestles his way through his re-election campaign.

The first act is stronger than the second, but the ideas behind the piece are clever and show promise. The play shows only on Monday and Tuesday nights, which is a shame; with its taste for satire and political send-up, I think this play would do well as a late-night Friday or Saturday show. Galatz’ portrayal of the President is appropriately naïve to the inner workings of Johnsen and Robison’s spin team, and Wagman’s Secretary of the Treasury provides a necessary, nerdy foil in the school of Rick Moranis. Dusek’s Senator Cantwell is perhaps the most convincing role in the cast; his cadence and delivery come across as believable and authoritative, and Lang’s Sultry Spokesmodel/Reporter punches up the action onstage.

On the night that I saw the show, the audience was limited in number, and while there were numerous laughs, this is definitely a show that would gain vitality from a larger audience; I hope that they get to experience the energy that comes from performing in front of a full house. The mission of Genesis Theatrical Productions is to presenting new works, and in presenting The People’s Choice they have aptly met their mission.

Rating: ★★½

The People’s Choice continues through October 25 at National Pastime Theater, 4129 N. Broadway (map), with performances at 7:30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets are $15, and can be purchased by phone (773-327-7077, x502) or online at BrownPaperTickets.com. More information at GenesisTheatricals.com. (Running time: 90 minutes with one 10-minute intermission)

All photos by Paige

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artists

cast

Brandon Galatz, Stefanie Johnsen, Holly Robison, Michael Wagman, Joe Dusek, Becky Lang, Christopher Goldman.

behind the scenes

Christopher Goldman (Director), Philip Pinkus (Playwright), Paige (photos)