The Best Man

The times they are a-changing’ - at least in some ways. In others, they have not changed at all. While America may be steeped in nostalgia for “the good old days” and “the greatest generation,” and while Mad Men’s return to television has brought delight to countless people, the revival of Gore Vidal’s The Best Man has revealed just how little has changed and how much is still the same.First performed on Broadway in 1960, The Best Man explores the behind-the-scenes dealings at a presidential political convention. Supposedly inspired by Adlai Stevenson and John F. Kennedy, The Best Man takes place in a time when a convention actually contained an element of suspense and surprise instead of the showcase of political niceties it functions as now. The last two candidates are battling for the endorsement of former president Arthur "Artie" Hockstader, and subsequently, the party’s nomination. Claws are sharpened and political blood is shed on the pristine hotel room floors before the candidate is decided on which serves as a disheartening lesson in disillusionment.Directed by Michael Wilson and featuring a star-studded cast of Broadway and Hollywood’s finest, this revival of The Best Man is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking production that serves a lesson in history as well as a mirror of our current culture. It is delightfully, but also uncomfortably, resonant.Former Secretary of State William Russell (a remarkably assured and smooth John Larroquette) is running against the younger, more populist Senator Joseph Cantwell (Eric McCormack, clearly having a very good time in a role of charm and ego) for the nomination. Harvard educated, world-weary and well-spoken, Russell is almost too intellectual for his own good. (His aide Dick Jensen, played by Michael McKean has to remind him to lay off the philosophical references during press conferences.) Cantwell, on the other hand, comes from a poor family and has fought his way to the top. Cantwell is the more bluntly ambitious of the two, a fact that becomes extremely clear when he threatens to blackmail Russell with medical records stating that the Secretary suffered a nervous breakdown. It isn’t until Russell is presented with the opportunity to blackmail Cantwell right back that the lines of ethics and morals become clearly blurred and neither one of the men is presented as a hero or villain.Religion and sex play large supporting roles in Vidal’s script, which also point towards how little has changed in the political landscape of the past 60 years. Pandering to demographics was executed then, just as it is now, demonstrated by Angela Lansbury as the formidable Sue-Ellen Gamadge who advises Russell on how to win over the female electorate. Decked out in her finest pink, Lansbury is delectable as the sweet-tempered, sweet-spoken widow who says, “The women like a nice regular man like Eisenhower...imagine him washing up after dinner.” While entertaining, the scene serves as a reminder of how many people claimed Bush was the man they would like to have a beer with and how that worked out for the country. It is deeply unsettling to think of how little has changed in the past 60+ years.It has been said that politics is a demanding mistress and as Alice Russell, the Secretary’s wife, Candice Bergen presents an achingly resonant demonstration of that statement. As the shy, muted, and overlooked wife who, for some reason still loves her openly philandering husband, Bergen gives a remarkably understated and honest performance. Brittle, steely and sad, she is also remarkably vulnerable, and when her husband pats her on the shoulder, her response is extremely touching to witness.Unfortunately, Bergen is not equally matched in the casting of Mabel Cantwell, who is played by Kerry Butler. Known for her work in musical comedy, Butler has made the unfortunate decision to exaggerate Mabel’s Southern accent and mannerisms, rendering her a caricature rather than an actual person. Mabel is grating in almost every way, and while the script hints at the steely ambition that lies beneath her fluttery, feminine surface, Butler’s theatrics overshadow and overwhelm any hint at further depth.The men in The Best Man are not required to hide their depth; instead they wear it on their sleeves. The intellectual and philosophical debates that the men engage in are fascinating to listen to, especially as they highlight the differences between the men. As Former President Arthur Hockstader James Earl Jones gives an assured performance of bluster and bluff. It’s easy to see why he would want to play this part. He gets to spend most of the play sitting on a couch, drinking bourbon and telling other men what to do. Brash and plain-spoken, Jones delivers his lines with obvious relish, whether asking, “You Bill’s head doctor?” or “The world’s changed since I was politickin’. In those days you had to pour God over everything, like ketchup.”Religion is another aspect of irony in The Best Man, as it apparently plays a significant role in the men’s campaigns - another example of how little has changed in politics. It is worth noting that while Russell states he does not believe in God, he refuses to resort to blackmail in order to win the nomination, while Cantwell is an outspoken Christian man whose real religion seems to be ambition.That religion is shared by everyone onstage, from Cantwell to his former army buddy Sheldon Marcus (played by the apple-cheeked Jefferson Mays in a scene-stealing performance) who shows up to the convention with some tasty potential blackmail. And it is the portrayal of this ambition by this top-notch cast that makes The Best Man such a captivating play. Larroquette especially shines in this production, appearing extremely comfortable onstage and in the role of Russell. McCormack also is excellent, giving an aw-shucks, folksy appeal to Cantwell's exterior, while portraying the darker side of the politician backstage.With election season upon us and a Republican nominee still undetermined, many aspects of The Best Man feels all too familiar despite the decades since its writing. References to Alice as a woman who “bravely” served on a panel about contraception but has been advised to never mention it on the trail are extremely unsettling, given the recent birth control debate. And Cantwell’s frequent references to populism are disarmingly resonant of recent Tea Party dialogue.One of the most interesting scenes in The Best Man takes place at a publicized tea for the wives of the candidates. Seeing Butler, Lansbury and Bergen all decked out in pastels and perched on a couch together, I was struck by the roes these women had been forced to play and compared them to the role of political wives these days. Both Alice and Mabel are referred to as “tremendous assets” and are told to be by their husbands’ sides, “acting” like they are advising them. The belittling of women by the political machine is still alive and well in today’s culture, despite - or even in spite - of the meteoric rise of Sarah Palin. First Lady Michelle Obama once held a powerful position on a hospital board but is now campaigning against childhood obesity and making cameo performances on iCarly. One hopes that by the time The Best Man is revived again, the titular phrase will be irrelevant - or at least revised to include women as well.