Sep 16
Review: Riotous 'POTUS' Peeks Behind the Scenes of a Chaotic White House
Will Demers READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Just in time for Election season, Trinity Repertory Company brings a racy, over-the-top comedy about the women in the White House trying to deal with a president who is, shall we say, either a PR nightmare or someone totally unfit to run our country. "POTUS" gives us a two-act farce with free reign to laugh at our political landscape, no matter what your alliances are.
During some important peace talks, the president accidentally uses a derogatory term to address the absence of his wife; trouble is, she was there all the time. Company member Jackie Davis plays Margaret, the First Lady, who is not having any of this nonsense.
"POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive" is by Selina Fillinger, an L.A.-based playwright and producer whose work opened on Broadway in 2022 and garnered three Tony nominations. Making its Rhode Island debut here, this is a night of theater you'll not soon forget. Mary Potts Dennis fills in for Deb Martin's debut here as Harriet, who's just trying to hold everything together in the Oval Office. Artistic Director Curt Columbus has hand picked a fabulous cast here, which he also directs.
Both Potts Dennis and Davis are flanked by a solid, all-female supporting cast. There's resident company member Rachel Warren as Jean, Brown/Trinity MFA students Sara States as Chris and Tay Bass as Dusty, all of whom turn in some very funny performances here with Bass stealing nearly every scene she's a part of. Returning guest artists Rachel Dulude as Bernadette, the criminally inclined sister of POTUS and Jenna Lee Scott as Stephanie give us some truly hysterical moments that just have to be seen.
It's here that the plot hardly matters as the physical comedy takes over. Front and center are the hijinx that ensue in the wake of the Presidents' many pratfalls, none of which are seen; just hinted at. It's a testament not only to Columbus' tight direction but the talented ensemble gathered for this raucous, raunchy, and very funny show. If ever there was a time in our country's history where normality is less than presidential in the White House, this may be a microscope to some years past when "fake news" was just the tip of the iceberg, and things might be even worse than they seem on the surface.
I dare you to not laugh at this fun look at how things could go if we elect the wrong sort to lead our country.
"POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive" is running through September 22 and October 10 - 27 at Trinity Repertory Company 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903. For information or tickets, call 401-351-4242 or visit www.trinityrep.com.
