By Sandi Masori
LA JOLLA, California — It’s always exciting to see a world premiere of a new show, especially if that show is on track to go to Broadway. And if that show has an all-star cast, even better. Such is the case with Babbitt, playing now at The La Jolla Playhouse, starring Jewish actor Matthew Broderick.
Based on the 1923 novel by Sinclair Lewis, the show is about a middle-aged, middle-class man who feels like he’s never done anything meaningful in life and seems to adopt the politics of whomever he’s around. Somehow he gives a speech that brings him to the attention of the local Republican Party. Seeing how the crowd rallies around him, they start using him to give speeches against the Democratic candidate. Along the line he connects with some beatniks and switches sides.
The all-star casts features the actors in multiple roles including playing the part of the narrator. Other than Broderick in the title role, each of the actors plays at least two parts. Audience members will have fun trying to place the familiar faces as all eight of the cast have theater and tv credits aplenty. Other cast members include Ana Harada (Schmiggadoon) as Babbitt’s wife Myra; Frances June (Madame Secretary) as Babbitt’s best friend, Chris Myers (She’s Gotta Have It) as Babbitt’s son, and Anna Chlumsky (Veep) who plays 4 characters.
The ensemble worked well together and all eight actors gave outstanding performances, as you would expect with actors of that caliber.
If you’ve never been to the playhouse before, it’s on the UCSD campus. The parking structure is down a ways, but they have continuous shuttles to bring you to the theater and back again. The theater itself is a nice one, with enough space between levels to ensure that your view isn’t blocked from any angle. As a shortie, that’s something I always notice and appreciate. The stage itself is huge with incredible high ceilings that make it easy to build tall structures and drop scenery and fixtures for the sets.
The set itself was a two-story ultra-modern library, with a double turning platform that allowed for setting changes without any curtains, as it rotated pieces in and out of view. At first glance it seemed like it might be set in current times, but as the play unfolds you notice little details like an old-time telephone, exclamations like “Zowie,” and references to women recently getting to vote. These dichotomies give the feeling that while the story may be set in a different time, we as a society haven’t really changed.
The play, like the book before it, is designed to make you think, and feel a little uncomfortable. You leave with a sense that you just saw a really good show, with phenomenal actors, and you know there was a message, but you need to noodle on it a bit.
The play runs through December 10.
*
Sandi Masori is a food and theatre reviewer for San Diego Jewish World. When she’s not covering food or theatre, she helps authors self-publish, hangs out with her kids, and searches for the best sushi in town.