Theatre Review: ‘Farragut North’ at Silver Spring Stage

September 24th, 2012 by Victoria Durham

Jonathan Feuer as Stephen Bellamy and Mario Font as Tom Duffy. Photo courtesy of Silver Spring Stage.

With election season in full swing–snarky pundits, attack ads, and ever fluctuating polls dominating the media–Silver Spring Stage offers a timely production of the popular political drama, Farragut North.  Written by playwright, Beau Willimon, North offers a scintillating inside look into the world of political campaigns and the lives of the doggedly ambitious people who run them. Set against a presidential democratic primary, Farragut North tracks the life of Stephen Bellamy (Jonathan Feuer), a junior campaign manager who is not above getting his hands dirty in order to guarantee his candidate a victory.  However, when a series of missteps throws the arrogant, political wunderkind off course, not only must he contend with his heavyweight colleagues for redemption, but he must also come to terms with his own morality.  Thus, whether you loathe the government or live for CNN and Politico commentary, this play is rife with enough scandal and debauchery to entertain and surprise nearly any adult audience.

With Jonathan Feuer at the helm, the ensemble cast of Farragut North collectively shines, each member holding their own during both comedic and intense scenes.  Feuer who is on stage during the entire play (talk about stamina!), shows no signs of fatigue and embodies the mounting tension, frenetic energy and not to mention hunky good looks of leading man Stephen Bellamy.  And despite the character’s obvious shortcomings, Feuer injects just enough charisma and humanity into an otherwise difficult and potentially unlikeable character.

Equally strong are performances by Leta Hall as persistent New York Times journalist Ida Horowicz and Bill Hurlbut as Paul Zara, senior campaign manager and Stephen Bellamy’s brash and constipated (yes, constipated!) boss.  Both deliver the perfect blend of sass, comedic timing, and tongue in cheek humor that frequently brighten the play’s weightier moments. From the very first hilarious scene, Hall and Zara deliver their lines with a ruthless, knowing eye and a relaxed confidence necessary for each role.

Jonathan Feuer as Stephen Bellamy and Janey Robideau as Molly Pearson. Photo by Harvey Levine

Cast mate Janey Robideau is an essential mention as the seductive and mysterious campaign intern, known only as Molly.  In this role, Robideau, an absolute beauty in her own right, conjures Jessica Rabbit with her auburn hair, pouty expressions, and slow cat-like strides as she interacts with Feuer.  However, there are moments–perhaps intentional–in which Robideau appears nervous in her near nudity, though the end result befits the susceptible teenage character she portrays.  In other words, it works. That said I’ve a sneaking suspicion that audiences will swoon right along with testosterone laden Stephen Bellamy  (Jonathan Feuer)  over  Robideau’s sexually charged, yet delicate depiction of the sly, secretive employee.

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