POTUS Receives 100% Approval Rating

Let’s be honest – we’ve all just about had it up to here with politics. Every time the news comes on, some fresh tragedy or executive order is flashing across the screen. In these unprecedented times, the last thing Rocklanders feel like doing is going to see a show about politics. Enter stage left, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, just in time to change your mind.

From the second the lights go up on stage, accompanied by one of the bawdiest opening lines ever written, until the thunderous applause closes out the night, POTUS is sure to leave you with some extra laugh lines.

The plot takes place entirely in the White House, following seven women over the course of one day as a PR nightmare surrounding the president whirls out of control.

It is difficult to call out any one individual actor’s accomplishments in this particular piece. Thanks to Claudia Stefany’s snappy direction, the ensemble is a true ensemble, passing the ball to each other with such ease and fun you wish you were up there with them. Even with high levels of farcical chaos throughout the show, audiences never feel overwhelmed thanks to Stefany’s staging.

Amanda Bloom, who plays POTUS’ Chief of Staff Harriet, gives sidesplitting Kate McKinnon energy while consistently remaining rooted in the irritation of her job. Harriet really should be the president, and her frustration surrounding being an overqualified babysitter to the highest man in the land while being passed over because of her womanhood speaks to every woman.

Tonette Smith plays Chris, a journalist balancing motherhood and her career. Even as Chris is chasing the biggest story of her career, she is fielding calls from her babysitter and has to sneak away frequently to pump breast milk. Smith is steadfast in her dedication to her babies, and we learn that her struggle to balance her roles only exists because the men in her life are refusing to support her. Typical.

Dana Duff is hysterical as POTUS’ estranged, drug smuggling sister who is seeking a pardon. Duff’s physical comedy lights up the stage, and audiences find themselves wondering what in the world she is going to do next.

Miran Robarts felt almost too real as Press Secretary Jean – audiences follow her lead right from the get. She is doing everything she can to contain this PR nightmare and it is still not enough. And try as she might, everyone keeps making fun of her “universally flattering” turtlenecks. Robarts strikes a nice balance of the intensity of this job while finding moments to show us her soft white underbelly.

Leslie F. Smithey is FLOTUS, a high heeled Croc wearing powerhouse (yes, you read that right. High. Heeled. Croc.) She is intense, to say the least, and audiences feel like they would not want to be a bunny under this hawk eyed woman’s line of attack.

Meg Sewell plays Stephanie, the President’s sheepish secretary who is working on improving her self-confidence. Stephanie practices her power stances and listens to the playlist “Bitch Beats” as part of her confidence regimen. When we see her listening to Roar by Katy Perry, it is such an intimate moment you almost have to look away. You can’t look away, however, because similarly to Duff, Sewell’s physical comedy is top-notch. Part of the joy is not knowing much about Sewell’s character, so trust us when we say seeing is believing.

Madison Landau plays Dusty, a small-town girl who, for reasons that will be revealed, has ended up in the White House with a bright blue tongue. A character that could be written off as a stereotypical ditz ends up having some of the most poignant moments. Landau portrays Dusty with a Midwestern sweetness, but it is not to be confused with idiocy. In the end, Dusty is the most unashamed of her femininity out of the entire group.

Every single actress is fully committed to their role. Stefany has not allowed for any half-assing, and it makes for a show where the stakes are real and high, and the two hours fly by leaving audiences wanting more.

There is a repeated question amongst the women  – “Why aren’t YOU the president?”. This question, while funny, bears repeating. After witnessing the intelligence, quick thinking and hard work of this small group of women, we’re all thinking it after all.

What is fantastic about this play in particular is the lack of preachy-ness. There is no harping on and on about politics, being a woman, the struggles – the writing is clear and simply tells the story, letting the audience appreciate the themes of the story on their own terms rather than spoon feeding it to them.

The scene changes have the potential to be boring, but Set Designer James Gardner has designed such a delightful space that audiences sit in anxious anticipation for the next surprise to be revealed. What Gardner has managed to accomplish is Broadway level, and it elicits the same level of excitement as watching a magician escape from handcuffs.

On March 27th, POTUS will be holding a special scholarship performance for The Larry D. Gabbard Performing Arts Scholarship. This educational grant is awarded annually to a Rockland County high school senior who intends to pursue a career in the performing arts, including Performance, Arts Management, Stage Management, Technical Design and Theater and Music Education. “Larry was one of those people that made you feel that when he was around everything was going to be fine. He was a true leader, and leadership for Larry was about making everyone else better,” shared Claudia Stefany, director of POTUS. “…no matter what hat he was wearing on any given day, you felt his commitment and passion for the arts, his sense of humor, and his steadfast love always knowing that everyone had a place at the table in Larry’s world. That is his legacy.”

So; turn off the news, have a fun night, and continue Gabbard’s legacy by attending the March 27th performance in his honor. Purchase tickets by going elmwoodplayhouse.com or by calling 845-353-1313.