With the presidential election only weeks away, it's not difficult to guess why the Milwaukee Repertory Theater chose to stage State of the Union as its 2008-09 season opener. The play, written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, takes place in 1946. The original production won a Pulitzer Prize and had a decent Broadway run. It also was made into a film with Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn. The Rep maintains the show's original time (1946), and also retains it in its original form three acts with two intermissions.
Not surprisingly, many of the issues faced by the country in 1946 sound all too relevant. Greed and leverage rule the day. Labor unions are fighting with management, business wants an upper hand, farmers have their concerns, and so forth. For the uninitiated, the play involves an astute businessman who is approached by the Republican party to run for office. After scoffing at their offer, Grant Matthews gradually warms to the idea.
The play's title has a double meeting, as the "union" also refers to the relationship between Matthews and his estranged wife, Laura. The politicians insist Matthews must convince his wife to accompany him on a speech-making trip around the country.(This being 1946, it is assumed that Matthews' dalliance with a female newspaper publisher and his wife's likewise straying will not be uncovered by the media. My, how times have changed.)
This is a large production, with a big cast and many set changes. The Rep is the perfect theater in which to stage State of the Union, since it can draw upon its company members and allow ample budget for sets and costumes.
The play holds up pretty well, and the Rep does an honorable job of bringing it to life. Under Michael Halberstam's direction, the main character, Grant Matthews, seems hesitant to take center stage. As played by Lee Ernst, Matthews is underplayed almost to extinction. This shifts the focus to the play's female characters. First and foremost, there's Laura Gordon as Mrs. Matthews. She elevates her character to a level far above what the script requires. Gordon has many memorable moments in the production, and the first comes when she breezes into a large Washington home. She has packed her bags for the trip with her husband, only to learn that her appearance has been orchestrated by the party's leader, James Conover. Gordon tries unsuccessfully to hide her disappointment. She doesn't know this is just the beginning.
As James Conover, Jim Pickering gives him a kind of slick appeal. He is aided by a number of party members and Republican supporters. Two of the latter are a female publisher and her newspaper's chief political columnist.
As the newspaper man, Torrey Hanson gives a sparkling performance. His dry humor is sharply dispatched. As the publisher, Deborah Staples steals many of her scenes with her upscale attitude (and clothing to match). Grant Matthews is spellbound by her beauty, which she manipulates to the max. Some fine acting is evident in the second-act appearance of a blowsy Lulubelle (Rose Pickering), the long-suffering wife of a southern judge. Medicating herself with alcohol, Pickering becomes funnier and funnier. She cleverly reminds the candidate of his wedding anniversary, which he had completely forgotten in the entire hubbub surrounding his candidacy. Expectedly, Matthews and his wife kiss and make up at the end.
As for the production values, the period costumes are luxurious to watch and give the production a sense of 1940s authenticity. The Art Deco-themed set is almost a show in itself. A well-choreographed team of acting interns, dressed as butlers and maids, snappily move elements of the set and props to indicate different locations. The sound and lighting further reinforce the show's 1940s feeling.
