Folsom production of Gore Vidal’s political drama opens November 8
Sutter Street Theatre brings a gripping and witty look at political power struggles with its upcoming production of The Best Man, opening November 8. Written by acclaimed playwright Gore Vidal, the drama delves into the ruthless and morally complex world of U.S. presidential elections.
The production, running through November 24, is staged in collaboration with Kauffmans’ Give Us A Hand Productions and directed by Derek Byrne, with assistant direction by Janelle Kauffman.
Set against the backdrop of a fictional political convention, The Best Man pits two candidates, William Russell and Joseph Cantwell, in a high-stakes battle for the presidency. Russell, a former Secretary of State with strong liberal ideals, is a man of intellect and integrity, admired by academics but viewed with suspicion by the political establishment. In contrast, Cantwell is a ruthless and calculating contender, willing to go to any lengths to win — including using personal scandals to destroy his rival.
Adding to the drama is Arthur Hockstader, an ex-President with a taste for the gritty side of politics, who revels in the clash between the two candidates and is eager to see which man can best navigate the treacherous waters of power. When both contenders uncover damaging secrets about one another, the stakes are raised, and the question becomes: will they play dirty or hold on to their principles?
The play, rated PG, features a sharp script that Vidal uses to explore the moral dilemmas of politics, ambition, and personal integrity, making it a timely and relevant production.
The Best Man will be performed Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 4:30 p.m., with an additional Saturday evening performance on November 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for reservation at SutterStreetTheatre.com or by calling (916) 353-1001. The theater is located at 717 Sutter Street in Folsom’s Historic District.
