By Alan Jozwiak
Falcon Theatre’s hilarious season opener Selina Fillinger’s POTUS, reflects an old saying which goes “Behind every great man is a great woman.” In POTUS, “great woman” means seven women who work diligently behind the scenes to keep the President on track, on course, and free from scandal.
Plot of POTUS
I really cannot go into much detail about the plot of POTUS (an abbreviation for the phrase President of the United States) for fear of spoilers. Suffice it to say that a crew of women close to the President–his wife Margaret (Brandi La’Sherrill), Chief of Staff (Sherry McCamley), Press Secretary (Elizabeth Durham), and Personal Secretary (Samantha Joy Luhn)–engage in hijinks in the service of the Commander-in-Chief during a typical day in the White House.
Along the way, the plot is thickened through the introduction of the President’s sister Bernadette (Clair LaNicca), White House Reporter Chris (Bryanna Bentley), and his Dalliance for the moment Dusty (Anna Hazard).
Piper Davis Directs POTUS
Directed by Piper Davis, POTUS has a strong cast of compelling female characters who know how to get the most humor out of a situation. This play is essentially a farce, where there is a seemingly implausible situation where everything is exaggerated for comedic effect. I said seemingly because the storyline has enough truth to it that something like this could actually happen in the White House (or already has happened).
Performers in POTUS
Instead of singling out a few actors to talk about in detail, I am going to highlight some things about each performer which stood out to me as memorable:
Sherry McCamley as Harriet shines bright when she reacts to some troubling news about her job as Chief of Staff. The dejection and resignation turning into bitterness comes through strongly in her performance. Harriet tends to be the straight man (or should I say straight woman) throughout the piece and McCamley provides that gravitas to this production.
Elizabeth Durham, last seen at the main lead in Falcon Theatre’s The Other Place, perfectly conveys the uptightness of Jean the Press Secretary. I appreciate her feeble justifications of turtlenecks. It is almost like a touchstone, underlining Jean’s need for control in a situation that has none.
Samantha Joy Luhn as Stephanie the President’s Personal Assistant gets a chance to show off her physical comedic talents when Stephanie is high on drug-laced antacids. What could appear just as shtick becomes an entire routine that is hilarious to watch. While high, Luhn’s appearance with Anna Hazard as Dusty performing for the Female Models of Leadership (FML) clad in an American flag. The ensuing routine is priceless.
More Great Performances!
Anna Hazard portrays Dusty with a verve and spirit that makes you like the character at once. Hazards’s true talents lay in physical comedy. Like Luhn, she is a gifted physical comedian who knows how to make the most of a situation. It is a delight to see her cheering on the FML audience. She makes the most of her opportunities with great comedic results.
Clair LaNicca as the President’s sister Bernadette glows bright in this production. Bernadette is a part-time drug dealer and affiliated with some low-life elements that breathe a bit of normalcy for the austere proceedings of the situation. My favorite moment with her is when she is trying to steer Stephanie away from prying eyes and pretends to be going out with Chris, the White House Reporter. Their interaction was very funny.
Bryannna Bentley really portrays the torn nature of Chris, who wants to advance in her career but also has to contend with a breast pump, a pestering nanny, and a deadbeat ex-husband. She juggles all of this with grace and good humor, all the while having some comedic gems within the play, such as her scene with LaNicca.
Finally, Brandi La-Sherrill as the President’s wife seems to channel Michelle Obama, if Michelle Obama wore crocs (a recurring joke within the play). La’Sherrill gives a wonderfully over-the-top performance as the President’s wife, who can be at times stately, frazzled, and upset at her husband. A highlight is when she comes onstage for the FML dinner. Her wardrobe perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the play.
Designers for POTUS
A shout-out to Scenic Designer Ted Weil, whose sparse, but wonderfully evocative set is perfect for POTUS. The stage is divided into two rooms with adjoining doors. Since we are behind the scenes in this play, we also get a chance to see that in the set itself. The wall between the two rooms is partially cut away to reveal the foundational structure, a reflection of what is happening within the play as well.
Another shout-out to Costume Designer Rachel Scardina, whose clothes are wonderful for these characters. Her skills really show in Margaret and Bernadette’s outfits. Margaret’s everyday power suit and ball gown, along with Bernadette’s camo shorts, T-shirt, and accessories provide another layer of believability for these characters.
The only minor issue with the show is that with a stage divided, sometimes actors are cautious navigating through the throng of people onstage when all seven actors are present. After this cast settles into the rhythm of performing for an audience, all of this will go away and the full force of the beauty of Davis’s direction will burst forth.
Conclusion
In short, POTUS is a great show to remove yourself from the seriousness of the upcoming presidential election (if only for a while!)and put things into perspective. You’ll laugh, cry, and hope that our federal government does not operate as is depicted in the play.
Tickets
POTUS runs September 13 to September 28, 2024 at the Falcon Theatre in Newport, Kentucky. Click here for ticket information.
