Political Idol

Political Idol

Boring!  Endless!  Annoying!  Self-righteous!  Tedious!  Underwhelming, under-qualified major players!  Full of major disappointments!   Of course, I’m talking about America’s real-life political landscape, not the revue Political Idol – which is quite the opposite: it’s mostly delightful, clever, and full of talent.  It’s the perfect, much-needed antidote to the sniping, griping, double-talking, double-crossing, headline-chasing, headache-inducing crapola extraordinaire in the current politics-as-usual season.  This skewering of big names and big news items features a strong and versatile cast changing wigs and voices (and sometimes, genders) to become the current, past and would-be Presidents and other assorted folks in the news.  Like political candidates, the show has traveled to other cities and has gone through some—to use the fave political word of the season—change.  Yesterday’s news item is tomorrow’s rhymed reference with candidates dodging sniper fire.

Singing new lyrics to established songs (smartly using the original lyric/title as a taking-off point), you’ll see a sharp Sharpton spoof with Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” plus another Al (Gore) singing about global warming to warm, appreciative applause and lots of laughter.    The scandal or controversy du jour is here for sure, but the creators know when to hold on to some sure-fire material satirizing an older story that’s still got some laughing gas in it.   Very little feels tired or redundant here—quite a compliment considering how frequently jokes are made about our political figures and news bites and oops moments are beaten to death.  Perhaps it’s the energy, the twinkles in the eyes, or the equal-opportunity lampooning of both parties that keep this feeling funny rather than smelling of an agenda or month-old rotting punch lines that lost their punch.  Sure, there are the usual suspects up for target practice—Bush 1, Bush 2, Mr. Clinton, Mrs. Clinton, McCain and the Republicans who bit the dust and were left in the dust of the campaign trail--- but there’s fresh poison in this show’s arrows. 

While waiting for the show to begin, I wondered what they’d rhyme with Obama, given the drama of recent events.  I must say I hadn’t thought they’d work in “Yokohama.”  They did.  In this case, the choice of song to parody led to impersonations of two music figures, Ricky Martin and Charo, that were not as successfully replicated as the vast majority of celebrities.  But the cast is right on the money much of the time, walking the walk and talking the talking points.  It’s great fun to note their skill at getting right –and right away as the light hits them --- such things as the Dick Cheney twist-mouthed sneer, the Bush chuckle/shrug, and the Hillary point and wave to onlookers that’s matched with that look of bright-eyed delight as if she recognizes you and is thrilled to see you—yes, you there in the back row.   Speaking of the Clintons, there’s a nice running bit with Bill Clinton as coach whispering advice to his wife and fighting for her to get another song; I loved seeing him upstage mouthing her lyrics like a proud but nervous stage mother.   When it’s brought up that he might be hurting her or stealing the spotlight sometimes and might be more low-profile but still involved, it’s mentioned casually that he’s “on a campaign swing through Guam.”   Like most satirical revues with songs and sketches, some are stronger than others.  The show could use a real socko ending instead of just one more very good scene and song.  It’s not the topper or surprise we need at the final moment.  But who knows what tomorrow’s headlines will inspire?  I’m hoping for a big gospel number from Obama’s Reverend Wright to be added!—so I hope his 15 minutes of fame doesn’t go too quickly.  Certainly this hour and 15 minutes goes too quickly, but is satisfying.

Funny lyrics fly by quickly, many per minute.  A couple of favorites are the peppy candidate attack, “You can’t handle Pakistan/ You don’t have a health care plan” and Giuliani singing, “Both sides will rejoice/ I’m both pro-life and pro-choice.”  To give away much more or say what songs’ melodies are used would give away too many surprises and be an impeachable offense.  (Yes, reviews have their own Ethics Committee, like Congress.  And look how well that’s been working out.)    But theatre fans will especially enjoy some refurbishing of famous show tunes and the pop songs used are known to a wide audience, with some golden oldies. 

There are a few things that can be easily fixed--- a bald-head wig is distracting and could be more effective if it looked more real, and the early announcements over the mic need more clarity and oomph to fit in.  And maybe Al Gore should dance more stiffly for comically clumsy steps in the Gore-eography.   A couple of songs could be tightened or don’t need to be full-length numbers—some make their point right away and become a bit anti-climactic.   But these are quibbles hardly worth the kind of debate time that certain parties have on your TV screen.  As the political season heats up (‘tis a long way til November), Political Idol should prove to be more and more the catharsis the doctor ordered.   Congratulations to all involved---you are ALL winners!  The chameleons in the cast are Lara Buck, Enga Davis, Joe Di Salle and Robert Yarnell (he’s the script writer and collaborated on the lyrics with Marc Emory).  Produced by Freedom Toast. 

The show continues at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72^nd Street.  It runs about one hour and 15 minutes, no intermission.  The show can be seen on Sundays all month at 7 pm, but I definitely VOTE for an extension.  No term limits!!  We need the laughs and there’s so much more to come to mock.    $20 plus a two-drink minimum.  Some snacks are also available, but please don’t noisily crinkle those potato chip bags behind me during the best one-liners, of which there are many.  Let the chips fall as they may.