**** Recommended I loved POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, a new political comedy at Hammond’s Towle Theater. POTUS doesn’t have enough doors to be a farce, but it has most of the other elements – an absurd situation, stereotypical characters, over-the-top personalities, witty dialog, lightning fast timing, pratfalls, and bawdy humor. It also has an all-female cast, a rarity in comedy. The language is a bit salty but it fits the situation. 4 Spotlights
The story open as the women behind POTUS are reacting to his comment about his wife’s c**ty morning.
- His chief of staff, Harriet (Sarah Sapperstein), who just heard about it goes ballistic, but what else is new, her primary job is keeping POTUS out of trouble
- His press secretary, Jean (Shanno Bachelder), has a screaming hissy fit because he threw out that nasty remark before his prepared speech
- His secretary, Stephanie (Madison Meeron), a meek young woman who is trying her best to learn to be assertive – and she’s hysterically funny as she tries affirmation and other techniques
- His wife, Margaret (Summer Powell), a formidable woman who has decided comfortable shoes – Crocs – are more important than her husband’s image. She’s so much more qualified than POTUS, the staff all wonder why she didn’t run
- His girlfriend, Dusty (Michelle Joy Jardine), who ‘borrows’ a staff ID so she can get into the Oval Office. Dusty is who she is and proud of it. She’s pregnant but ready to party
- His sister, Bernadette (Wendy Buchheit), a free-spirited rebel who just got out of prison due to a presidential pardon. There isn’t anything Bernadette hasn’t tried. Her arrival causes panic among the staff
If that’s not enough, Chris (Jessica Uzo) a free-lance reporter who’s trying to get an interview with POTUS manages to overhear – and record some private conversations – which means someone better grab her phone. When Chris grabs a statue to defend herself and misses her target but hits someone else, the s**t hits the fan!
POTUS, written by Selena Fillinger, opened on Broadway in 2022. The Towle production is directed by Anna Maria D’Ortenzio. Light and Sound Design is by TJ Bird. Madeline Meyer is the Fight Choreographer.
POTUS runs through May 11th at the Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Avenue, Hammond. Free parking is available on Hohman Avenue and in a lot off State Street, directly north of the theater. Running time is just about 2 hours with an intermission. Performances are Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $24. FYI (219) 937-8780 or www.towletheater.org.