Gore Vidal’s THE BEST MAN
The New York Post describes the plot as follows: "…William Russell, the ex-Secretary of State, is a wit and scholar with high liberal principles, beloved of the eggheads and suspected by practical politicians. Joseph Cantwell is a ruthless and hard-driving young man, a dirty fighter who will let no scruples stand in the way of his ambitions. And Arthur Hockstader is an ex-President, who loves politics for their own sake, admires a rough-and-tumble battler more than a chivalrous one, and is determined to have the final say in the selection of his party's candidate…The ruthless young man has got hold of papers indicating that his rival once suffered from a mental crackup, which he is all set to use. Then his scrupulous antagonist comes across some incriminating evidence about Cantwell, which he is loath to produce. The scruples don't appeal to the ex-President, who enjoys seeing the boys fight. All of this provides the framework for some vivid and interesting scenes in which Mr. Vidal contrasts the minds, emotions and fighting spirits of the two candidates…"
Watch a little from our season-opener, THE BEST MAN, by clicking here.
Cast:
Alice Russell- Deborah Burke
Sheldon Marcus- Tom Burke
Senator Clyde Carlin- Tom Costaggini
Dr Artinian- Roger Dykeman
Reporter/Delegate- Anthony Gray
Secretary William Russell- Rick Harrington
Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge- Laurel Lettieri
Catherine/Reporter/Delegate- Beth Levine
Don Blades- Rich Masotti
Dick Jensen- Rob Rosado
Senator Joseph Cantwell- Frank Speranzo
Reporter/Delegate- William Squier
Mabel Cantwell- Morgan Wilson Graham
Ex-President Arthur Hockstader- Ted Yudain