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Continental Divide: A two play epic:
Mothers Against &
Daughters of the Revolution
By David Edgar
Directed by Alex Levy
Produced by Pegasus Players
At the O’Rourke Center at
Truman College
1145 W. Wilson
Chicago, IL
773-878-9761 www.pegasusplayers.org
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 3 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time—Mothers Against is 2 hours, 45 minutes with intermission
Daughters of the Revolution is 2 hours, 40 minutes with intermission’
Performed in repertory
Through November 16, 2008
Two political dramas are a timely political treat
A timely political epic, “Continental Divide” by David Edgar of “Nicholas Nickleby” fame deftly looks at a tight gubernatorial race in the American West. “Mothers Against” deals with the Republican candidate Sheldon Vine (Timothy Hughes) as he and his handlers prepare for a TV debate with his Democrat rival. “Daughters of the Revolution” follows Democrat Rebecca McKeene’s campaign as a key appointee, Michael Bern (Steve Ratcliff) tries to discover who knows about his potentially embarrassing and criminal past. The two plays are ‘stand-alone’ works but together they tell the complete story of the bitterly fought gubernatorial race.
“Mothers Against”
“Mothers Against” profiles Republican Sheldon Vine—an ethical businessman who rejects all attempts by his campaign staff to lie and/or manipulate the truth in his campaign ads or statements. His wife, Connie (Karen McKie), his campaign manager, Don D’Avanzo (Ron Quade), his senior advisors Vincent Baptiste (J.J. McCormick) and Mitchell Vine (Paul Myers) are huddled at the Vine family ranch (excellent set design by Tim Mann). When pollster Caryl Marquez (Venessa Ortega) joins the group, the strategy as to how Sheldon Vine should handle his upcoming debate with his liberal Democrat challenger. Much of the first act of “Mothers Against” is the internal debate among staffers as to get the candidate to speak to what voters want to hear versus what the candidate actually believes. 
D’Avanzo and the candidate’s brother Mitchell try to convince the candidate to either be vague and/or get close to deception in an attempt to play to their demographic strength. The pollsters and staff have recommended TV ads that paint a profile of the candidate that could produce a winner but the candidate rejects any ads or statements that are lies or deceptions. Amazingly Sheldon is an honorable and honest Republican! Playwright Edgar (a through British researcher) goes into much depth in discussing the art of managing a political candidate in a close election. The debates are fierce among the advisers. This play mirrors what must have gone on before recent political debates. I was intrigued with the various arguments presented especially where the line is drawn between the truth and lies.
This dense play almost overwhelms us with information and political rhetoric. It could use a 20 minute trimming to become more compact and focused. The dilemma concerning Proposition 92’s Oath of Allegiance finds Sheldon Vine becoming trapped by this Democratic opponent. How he handles this problem could determine the victor in the election. The clever and plausible plot twists make this play interesting. Political philosophy becomes theatre. I liked this smart, well acted ensemble piece—it reminds me of the TV show “The West Wing.”
Recommended
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2008
“Daughters of the Revolution”
This second part of David Edgar’s “Continental Divide” deals with the Democrat candidate Rebecca McKeene (Roxanne Saylor) and the people from her past activist days from the 1960’s. This is a totally different work in tone and pace. Michael Bern (Steve Ratcliff in a terrific performance) is a college dean who is a former radical activist from the 60’s who is now an establishment member with left leanings. He has an appointment to a prestigious government agency but he worries about his FBI file that contains his name (with others) at a meeting where plans were made to commit a felony. Much of the play deals with Bern meeting with all of the living members from that meeting in the 60’s. We meet the old time activists who speak to their past activities as Bern tries to find out who was the FBI’s spy in their group. Bern knows that McKeene was a member of that group as his problem becomes McKeene’s problem due to a photo of the Democratic candidate flying the Viet Cong flag o ver a student occupied ROTC building.
This play is an overly long work that simply tries to cover too much of the 60’s activism. It also covers the contemporary tree-sitting activists. I wanted to discover more about McKeene’s story. “Daughter’s of the Revolution” is really Michael Bern’s play. At the end of Bern’s journey of discovery that has several incredulous twists, we see how the preparation for the debate has the two candidate’s people trying to intimate the candidates over Proposition 92. The story comes together nicely here as we are left to wonder who wins the election? There are hints but no specific resolution.
Recommended
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2008
In conclusion:
This two play epic, “Continental Divide,” despite being a marathon of words, is a well researched and intensely truthfully balanced look at the dynamics of American politics. It unfolds as theatrically interesting. Steve Ratcliff, Timothy Hughes, Ron Quade and Tien Doman were particularly excellent. This is a worthy ensemble piece that mirrors our present political season. I would advise seeing both plays since they balance each other. I like “Mothers Against” more since it contains more political philosophy.
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
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