Nathan Lane Goes Straight. Laurie Metcalf Goes Crooked. Dylan Baker Comes Down From the Mountain. David Mamet’s play “November” Might be a Turkey!
Friday, December 21st, 2007What a comedy! Nathan Lane as the President of the United States cum extortionist. Laugh a minute.
Not.
November, written by David Mamet, author, essayist, screenwriter, film director and, for the past few years, cartoonist, opened last night in previews at the Ethel Barrymoore Theatre in New York City. There I was, hunkered down in a $98.00 aisle seat (for a “f”ing preview, as Mamet might put it) in the second-to-last row, orchestra, next to someone whom I didn’t know and who, thank goodness, displayed exceptional taste by joining me in never laughing. “Maybe all these hyenas are ringers and/or friends of the playwright,” mused I, under my breath.
I think I “get” that the play was very tongue-in-cheek. After all, Playbill, which listed all the major players in November and their credentials, described Mamet as being “better known as a cartoonist.” Frankly, I found it painful and embarrassing as, yes, an American, to watch my president, Charles H.B Smith, being portrayed as such an ignoramus and so…venal.
Yet, people laughed. Hahahahahaha. Guffaw. Guffaw. Guffaw. Slap that knee!
