“Frost/Nixon” Packs a Punch at Bay Street Theater

“Well, when the president does it, that means it is not illegal.”

~Richard Nixon, putting his foot in his mouth

This summer, Bay Street Theater is having an exciting Mainstage Season filled with thought-provoking bio-dramas. Their first production, “Fellow Travelers,” explored the complex relationship between Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe, and Elia Kazan. Their third production will be “Evita,” a musical about the life of Eva Peron and her ascent to the first Lady of Argentina. This season will also feature a bonus show, “Confessions Of A Mormon Boy,” which is a true story based on the troubled life of a fallen Mormon, Steven Fales.

Their current production “Frost/Nixon,” by Peter Morgan, is another bio-drama. Playwright, Peter Morgan, perhaps best known for “The Queen” and Netflix’s “The Crown” has written a well-crafted play, set in 1977, that centers around a series of real-life interviews between the talk show host, David Frost and the disgraced, ex-37th president of the United States. The play is more a Frost saga than a Nixon tell-all, as we watch Frost’s frantic efforts to resurrect his American television career. The play isn’t about the clashing of two titans, but more like a tale of two ships passing in the night, one new and seaworthy, the other beaten and broken, yet both are seeking the same thing – a safe harbor to anchor the rest of their life to. These four fascinating interviews, which ultimately brought Nixon to his knees as he admits his wrongdoings, proved to be just another kick in the pompous ass for the already down-and-out Tricky Dick, and a journalistic windfall for the brazen, overzealous, British talk show host willing to risk everything in a seemingly reckless pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way. This Tony-winning drama, well staged under the astute direction of Sarna Lapine, makes you reflect upon this sad truism: Often one man’s fortune and meteoric rise to fame is tantamount to another man’s failure and demise.

The play closes on a bittersweet moment for both the younger man, Frost, who so desperately sought to get to the bottom of things so that he could rise to the top, and for the older, defeated one, Nixon, who desperately needed to make restitution for his abominable actions, so that he could make peace with his lot. There is a touching scene at the end of the play, when the two adversaries say their poignant goodbyes with a gentleman’s handshake, a gift, and a deep sense of grace and gentility. I couldn’t help but silently mourn for the loss of this kind of polite civility, which is so savagely missing in today’s volatile political climate.

Two superb-seasoned actors, Harris Yulin, as Richard Nixon, and Daniel Gerroll as David Frost, both Obie-Award winners, give equally strong performances, which made them perfect sparring partners in this no-holds-barred drama, where only one person can be the victor. Christian Conn portrays Jim Reston, Frost’s astute research assistant, who also serves as narrator in the play. The part of a narrator is always a tricky one to pull off, since most of what is said is pure exposition, and can bore an audience to death if not handled properly, but Mr. Conn delivers each line with power, purpose, and precision breathing life into each and every praise he utters. Danielle Slavick gives a stellar performance as Frost’s jet-setting girlfriend, Caroline Crushing. Brian Keane gives a command performance as Bob Zelnick, another research assistant. Mr. Keane has one of the funniest bits in the play: imitating Tricky Dick. Stephen Lee Anderson has two roles: portraying Mike Wallace and another as Swiftly Lazar, Nixon’s fast-talking, wheeler-dealer theatrical agent. Mr. Anderson’s facial expressions and stage presence makes Swiftly Lazar a scene stealing character. Cici Koueth does a good job of juggling her multiple parts, including portraying Evonne Goolagong. The rest of the tight-knit ensemble added to the believability and drama of the evening, and include: Michael Corvino as Manolo Sanchez, Price Waldman as John Birt, and Rich Topol as Jack Brennan.

Kudos to the entire creative team, which includes Wilson Chin (Set Designer), Ken Billington (Lighting Designer), Emilio Sosa (Costume Designer), Josh Schmidt (Sound Designer), Tal Yarden (Projections Designer), Jared Janas (Hair Designer), Andrew Diaz (Prop Designer), Stephen Gabis (Dialect Coach), Lori Lundquist (Production Stage Manager), and Stewart/Whitley (Casting).

Timely, compelling, and brilliantly acted and staged – reserve your seats now! This production runs June 26 – July 22, 2018. To purchase tickets and subscriptions, call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or purchase online at www.baystreet.org.

Photo by Lenny Stucker/lennystucker.com

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright and author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” and “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships.” She has a BFA in theatre from the University of Connecticut. Last summer, “Tomorrow’s Classic Theatre Company” produced her full-length play, “Beethoven’s Promethean Concerto in C Minor WoO,” a theatrical tribute to the man, the myth, the music, which received an “Encore Theater Award,” and “Digital Journal” named it the “Best Indie Play of 2017.”