The Mark Taper Forum is the host of the American premiere of "Stuff Happens", David Hare's dramatization of the events leading up to the Iraqi war, with outgoing a Taper Artistic Director in the Director's seat. Davidson has assembled an expert cast for this interesting, yet overly long, political drama. Although there is not a weak link in the cast, special mention is due for the outstanding performances turned in by Dakin Mathews as Dick Cheney, John Michael Higgins as Donald Rumsfeld and Stephen Spinella as French Foreign Minister Domininque de Villepin.
The first act is long on exposition, but short on involving drama, save for some electrifying moments courtesy of Collin Powell as played by Tyrees Allen. But commencing with the "Enter The French" segment in act 2, the show speeds along to its compelling conclusion. It is only in the Powell scene in act 1 and in act 2 that Hare seems to be going beyond a summary of news items, but the top-notch cast, direction and staging make the entire evening seem well worth the price of admission. The Taper deserves praise for taking on an intelligent, politically charged work at a time when political heroism seems to be in missing in action.
"Stuff Happens" is at the Taper through July 17.
Rating: ***
Through next weekend, "The Habitation of Dragons," a play by one of America's finest writers, Horton Foote, is at the Crossley Theater in Hollywood. The play has received strong reviews form the local press, and I was impressed by a local version of his play several years back. However, for this revieiwer, the acting was painfully bad and failed to convey the poetry of Foote's dialogue. I could not wait for Act 1 to end, then I darted for the parking lot.
Rating: *
Coming soon: My Spring/Summer 2005 New York Theater Report
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