Review: All The King’s Men at Intiman Theatre
The action takes place in various small towns in Louisiana from 1922 to 1938. Politically, the timing could not better since making deals and “assisting” friends is never out of date. Such is the current state of politics when you see the headlines about the former senator from Alaska. You know this play is going to be something special when the opening act includes all eighteen actors on stage performing Louisiana, 1927. This is a haunting beautiful song about the flood and troubles of 1927. The play is based on the Pulitzer Prize novel and it is like listening to poetry on stage.
The cast of actors from the large to the small parts were professional and well chosen for their roles. Too many to review them all, so here are some that impressed me. Jack Burden (Leo Marks) is the narrator of the story and a reporter who is hired by Willie Starks. Because Jack’s role is so pivotal it is important to have someone who can make you believe why people would love and vote for Willie Starks. Mr. Marks accent and his movements are so wonderful to hear and watch. His speech about discovering and loosing his father is also powerful. Willie Stark (John Procaccino) is a Seattle favorite, and with good reason, for what role can Mr. Procaccino not play? You see him grow from a real country boy, to a slick well dressed governor of a very poor state, with deals and money either being wasted or given to the “good ole boys”.
I have to mention Sugar-Boy, well acted by Peter Dylan O’Connor. He plays the governor’s driver and bodyguard who’s very loyal and a dead shot with his pistol. Another actor who was just right for her role was Deirdre Madigan playing Sadie Burke, Willie’s secretary and one of his mistresses. She’s a hard lady who ends up with a broken heart. She conveys her history and why she is the way she is in her speech and her fast pace across the stage whenever she enters.
The scenic design by Tony Cisek is also interesting. It is a challenge to set something up on stage and give the actors the space necessary for such a large cast. The music selections work really well and set the tone and moves the action right along. Many Randy Newman songs were selected and the original arrangements by Music Director Edd Key give a southern tone to every aspect of the play.
The play is long (around 3 hours or more), along with a large cast playing multiple characters and at first it was hard to follow the action and who was doing what but that soon sorted itself out. I would recommend seeing this strong and engrossing last play of the American Cycle.
Now I want to read the book…
All the King’s Men plays at the Intiman Theatre through November 8, 2008. Tickets range in price from $10 to $50. Patrons aged 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10, pending availability. A limited number of $20 rush tickets may be available for purchase 15 minutes before curtain time, pending availability. For more info about the play visit www.intiman.org.
Ethel W.
