Review: Omaha's Bluebarrn Theatre gets unequivocal endorsement for production of 'POTUS'
"POTUS," the season finale at the Bluebarn Theatre, gets a wholehearted endorsement from reviewer Betsie Freeman. The final show of the season at the Bluebarn Theatre in Omaha, Nebraska, was praised for its production of "POTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumb--- Are Seven Women Trying to Keep him Alive" by Susan Clement and the director Susan Clement. The feminist farce, by Selina Fillinger, premiered for a limited run on Broadway in 2022 and is set to premiere on the island of Omaha in April 2022. The play, which moves so fast and physical, was so comical that it seemed like nothing, even with an intermission in the middle. Theresa Sindelar, played the wackiest role as Stephanie, the president’s secretary, was a standout. Other notable performances included Sydney Readman, Kim Jubenville and Ashley Kobza, and Kim Gambino. The set by Martin Machietto and costumes by Denise Ervin were also praised. The review was unanimous, stating that the play's message of empowerment was empowering women regardless of gender.
Published : one year ago by betsie freeman, Betsie Freeman World-Herald Staff Writer in Politics
The season’s final show at the Bluebarn Theatre starts like a sudden windstorm and doesn’t end until the audience is blown away — by laughter.
The all-female cast and director Susan Clement propel “POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumb--- Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” to greatness.
The feminist farce, by Selina Fillinger, premiered for a limited run on Broadway in April 2022.
The somewhat-convoluted plot begins with the president, who’s never seen, calling his wife an unprintable word starting with C, causing chief of staff Harriet and press secretary Jean to panic with a capital P.
The opening scene is frenzied enough, but the action gets increasingly unhinged as more presidential pitfalls are revealed: a young woman shows up with a secret, his imprisoned sister makes waves and an ambitious female journalist wants a scoop on all of it.
It moves so fast — and it’s so comical — that 90 minutes seems like nothing, even with an intermission in the middle.
Much of the comedy is physical, and Clement picked her actors well.
Theresa Sindelar has the wackiest role as Stephanie, the president’s secretary. She spends about two-thirds of the play dancing across the stage in a large pool inner tube after stripping to her skivvies. Her deranged expressions and exaggerated movements, especially after her timid early scenes, were priceless. She was a definite standout — it’s hard to imagine Rachel Dratch, the “Saturday Night Live” comedian who played the role on Broadway, being any funnier.
Sydney Readman has another goofy role, playing Dusty, the young woman with big plans who came to D.C. from a small town. She gave the character an intriguing combination of naivete and scheming that made her irresistibly hilarious.
The other roles were written a little less broadly, but not much, and they were no less entertaining. Nina Washington was feisty and fun as first lady Margaret, who owns a case full of firearms. Kim Gambino was fierce — and having an awesome time — as the president’s felon sister, Bernadette. Breanna Carodine was great — and, in my opinion, authentic — playing my favorite part, the journalist Chris working to get her story at any cost.
And Kim Jubenville and Ashley Kobza were wonderful as chief of staff and press secretary in roles that were comparatively more sedate — until they weren’t.
The set by Martin Machietto was simple yet effective. I had no problem seeing the White House, Capitol Building and other locales in my head. It made all the frantic action look easy.
I also loved the costumes by Denise Ervin, especially the first lady’s gala dress and the girlish outfits Ervin gave Dusty.
I suspected after the first scene that the play would be pretty profane, and I was right. It’s not a show for kids.
Before I saw the show, I had a few questions: Would it be tinged by partisan politics, with barbs against one side or the other? Would the characters be thinly disguised real people? Would it divide the audience?
The answer to each, in my opinion, was no. The main message amid the mayhem was empowering women, no matter who they are. And that’s a message that I heartily endorse, along with this highly entertaining production.
Topics: Theater, Reviews