By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel
SOLANA BEACH, California — The brilliant script of The Outsider by Paul Slade Smith and deft direction by David Ellenstein with his amazing cast gave North Coast Rep audience a smart and really funny performance. Although written years ago, Smith’s script is still a contemporary and sharp satire on our political circus.
Ned (John Seibert), a very shy and low-key man, is lieutenant governor with light duties but is very savvy about government laws. He is uncomfortable talking in public. Paul, his only assistant ((Christopher M. Williams), tries to shield him from any pressure.
Flash! The incumbent governor is suddenly dismissed from office in disgrace, and overnight Ned becomes the new governor!
The media quickly sends Rachel, its TV interviewer (Natalie Storrs) and C.V. (Max Macabre), her camera man, to interview the new governor for public broadcast.
Ned is nervous and in panic until Arthur (Louis Tortoro), a very aggressive publicity guy, arrives with Page (Shana Wride), his pollster. Arthur tries to change Ned’s image to an ordinary guy making vacuous statements’ to appeal to Arthur’s vision of the public. .
John Siebert as Ned is a one man show almost Chaplanesque as he moves around and struggles to speak before the camera.
Having no warning of Ned’s new position, Paul had quickly hired Louise without previous interview to be Ned’s secretary. Louise (Jacque Wilkes) turns out to be delightfully incompetent, empty-headed and has the audience in stitches every time she is on stage.
While all this craziness is going on Paul can only watch and feel hopeless until he talks one on one with Rachel the TV. Interviewer. He subtly inspires her to cut the phony questions set up by Arthur, and instead triggers Ned to talk about his passion for good government.
Ned ‘s description of s good government may well be the essence of the play. I could feel the buzz of agreement throughout the audience.as he spoke.
I believe the comedy may be more challenging to produce than drama. For comedy to receive a standing ovation it needs a great script, creative director, outstanding cast with pizzazz, and the talent of backstage folks and designers. North Coast Rep‘s Outsider had it all.
As evidence, there was an immediate standing ovation, and the applause continued until way after the actors left the stage. . O h yes, there were lots of shouts of“”Bravo!”
Bravo as well to the design team: Marty Burnett (Resident Scenic Designer), Matthew Novotny (Lighting), Elisa Benzoni (Costumes), Philip Korth (Props) and Peter Herman (Wigs). Dean Remington is the Stage Manager.
The show will run through Sunday, March 22. Check with the box office for times and prices.
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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel is the cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego. He now resides in Encinitas.