OCC playing politics with ‘View of the Dome’

Tom Titus

If, like many of us, you’re fed up to here with all the mud-slinging

of the presidential campaign and are looking for two hours’ worth of

escape from politics, then “View of the Dome” at Orange Coast College

probably isn’t for you.

The OCC production of Theresa Rebeck’s comedy of sex and politics

in our nation’s capital obviously is scheduled to be as timely as

possible, opening as it does this close to the election. And,

admittedly, it is somewhat diverting -- that is, until it descends

into blatant farce during its second act.

Rebeck has blended political drama with barbed comedy in her tale

of a young campaign worker, ill-treated by the higher-ups, who plots

a unique form of revenge. This all works well enough, but Rebeck

incorporates fantasy into her satire to the point where

distinguishing truth from fiction becomes difficult -- much like

Washington, come to think of it.

Her title itself is somewhat of a jab. When loyal party worker

Emma (Brittany Keehn) drives a senatorial candidate and his staff to

a restaurant, the others commandeer a booth while Emma is shunted off

to a single table with a “view of the dome” of the Capitol building

(pointedly, she sits with her back to it). And it only gets worse

from there insofar as Emma’s self-esteem is concerned.

Emma demonstrates her loyalty by “getting close” to a randy,

married senator (Patrick Koffel) -- and getting photos with the

curiously willing partner in the process. When push comes to shove,

and Emma is shoved out of the picture, she has plenty of ammunition

to mount a counterattack.

Thrust into the limelight, she undergoes a grilling from a Senate

committee, which is where the play really gets out of hand

structurally, descending into downright burlesque. The three

inquisitors (Jason Justin, Pabyan Diaz and Arwyn Knott) soon morph

into another threesome better characterized as Larry, Moe and Shemp.

Keehn, who also narrates, is sharp, attractive and devastatingly

funny, which is more than can be said for the play itself. James

Grant as the Senate hopeful skillfully stresses his character’s

short-fused nastiness, and even Emma’s erstwhile significant other

(Joe Britton) gets in her face when the political stuff hits the fan.

One particularly strident performance is rendered by Emma Meade as

a highly placed party official who delights in throwing her weight

around, usually at the top of her lungs. To better his chances, the

candidate should have dumped her and kept Keehn. Chris Geer impresses

as a barfly with copious Hollywood screenwriting credits whom Keehn

encounters periodically.

Notable for his power of impression is Tony Swagler, who occupies

a riotous cameo as a pill-popping Rush Limbaugh. Daniel Vega and

Alyson Hanebutt have some fun moments as a pair of fashion experts

vying to alter Keehn’s appearance, while David Cowan and Averie

Huffine are a kick as a Scandinavian couple Keehn meets on a cruise

ship.

Director Alex Golson has done yeoman work in plugging the gaps in

this would-be controversial comedy. David Scaglione’s utilitarian

setting works well for its multiple uses and Cynthia Corley’s

costumes, especially Keehn’s in various stages of undress, are well

done.

“View of the Dome” may not be the crackling satire its playwright

intended, but it’s a fresh look at the political scene with a few

excellent performances. And it’s more fun than watching CNN these

days.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.