When Mundelein Theatre director Jonathan Meier was selecting the theatre season for this school year, he noticed that their fall play would be opening just two days after the presidential election. He knew immediately which play he would choose. The political satire, The Best Man, by the celebrated American writer, essayist and commentator Gore Vidal, will be presented by Mundelein Theatre on November 10, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. There will also be an after-school matinee on November 11 at 3:45 p.m. which is free for MHS students. Tickets are a recommended donation of $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the door 30 minutes prior to each performance. Additional information can be found here.
The Best Man deals with a fictional presidential primary in 1960. The play examines the nature of power, the quest for power and the way power makes people behave. One candidate represents a naked, grasping lust for high office by any means necessary, while the other, tempted by the same desires, struggles mightily with the question of what is right and how far is too far in the pursuit of power. The witty dialogue and clever characters give the play a sense of satirical fun, and suggests that finding The Best Man through the American political process is extremely difficult, although not quite impossible.
“I saw this play on Broadway several years ago,” said Meier. “I knew then that it was a play we would do one day at Mundelein Theatre. When I saw that our fall play was during election week, I knew the timing was right.”
Though the play was written 56 years ago, it is still relevant today. “I find it incredibly interesting, and a bit scary that we are dealing with the exact issues today that were being written about decades ago,” Meier concluded.
Leading the cast are Thomas Ferro (William Russell), Dan Haller (Joe Cantwell), Emily Parduhn (Alice Russell), Ginny Zundel (Mabel Cantwell), Brenden Paul (Arthur Hockstader) and Hannah Weiss (Mrs. Gamadge). Others in the cast are Maddie Martorana (Dede Jensen), Henry Dumblauskas (Don Blades), David West (Senator Carlin), Jacob Horvat (Sheldon Marcus), Dominic Cappuccilli (Dr. Artinian) and Bella Canela (Katherine). Rounding out cast are Brianna Moderhack, Ryan Story, George Stedman, Jenna Panos, Alex Frumkin and Robbie Iraburo-Cochran. Payton Cousins is the Stage Manager.