Political Play

TO MOST DEMOCRATS, Lee Atwater is a dirty name. The Georgian was a Republican political consultant noted for—depending on one’s political persuasion—aggressive tactics or dirty tricks. He was involved in several campaigns and frequently considered the source of harsh attacks on, and innuendo about, opponents. Most notably, he managed the elder George Bush’s 1988 presidential run, featuring a TV ad about convicted killer Willie Horton that helped Bush overcome a 17-point deficit in the polls and win the presidency. During that period, Atwater became a close friend of George W. Bush and Bush adviser Karl Rove.

After the 1988 election, Atwater was named Republican national chairman, but his tenure was short. In 1990, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. A year later, he died at age 40. Before his death, he reportedly converted to Catholicism and repented many of his actions, apologizing in public and via letter to several persons, including 1988 Bush opponent Michael Dukakis.

All this, of course, is fertile ground for cultivating a play, which Robert Myers has done with Atwater: Fixin’ to Die, a much-praised 1997 work getting its regional debut at Cygnet Theatre May 20–June 18. And although it’s timely and political, it’s not a polemic. “The play uses his words,” says Cygnet artistic director Sean Murray, “but takes no stand or position. It all depends on what you think and believe.”

That’s echoed by Rosina Reynolds, who is staging Atwater immediately after mounting Twilight of the Golds at Diversionary. “What’s interesting,” she says, “is that Democrats see the play as showing Atwater as a slimy operative, while Republicans see it as depicting the man’s charm and abilities.” She says her main challenge in directing the script—adapted from interviews, letters and conversations by and about Atwater—is “keeping that neutrality, finding that balance.”

It’s a one-man work, and Reynolds has cast it well—talented Jeffrey Jones, memorable in several 2005 roles, including the protagonist in Cygnet’s Burn This, for which he won a Craig Noel Award (for outstanding lead performance) from the San Diego Critics Circle. Along with re-creating the personable and colorful Atwater, Jones portrays several peripheral characters—including former President Ronald Reagan.

Reynolds lauds Murray for choosing to schedule Atwater: “It’s so relevant to today, because it traces the way political campaigns have become so negative and insidious in their tactics.” And she fully expects the production to generate considerable “political energy and conversation.”

UP NORTH, A SECOND SOLO WORK features another recipient of a 2005 Craig Noel Award. Francis Gercke, honored for his 2005 role as Brick in Cygnet’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, plays the introspective subject of Nocturne at Carlsbad’s New Village Arts (May 6-27). “Fifteen years ago, I killed my sister” is the opening line in Adam Rapp’s monodrama about a young man trying to deal with the grief and personal horror of a long-ago auto accident. Those of us who recall Gercke’s heart-rending closing speech in New Village’s Waverly Gallery recommend keeping your Kleenex handy.

MORE CHEERFULLY, IN SOLANA BEACH, North Coast Rep presents the California premiere of an off-Broadway musical adaptation of No Way To Treat a Lady (May 6–June 4). Based on William Goldman’s successful novel and film—with book, score and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen—the 1987 musical won the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. Rick Simas directs the thriller, pitting an unemployed actor who becomes a serial killer against the detective who’s pursuing him. Despite that dark description, it’s a comedy.

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