Theater Review: 'November' by Diamond Theatre Company

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Diamond Theatre Company is presenting the hysterical comedy "November" by David Mamet.

Diamond Theatre Co, based in Wallingford CT, aims to deliver quality theatrical experiences to the community and presents the play at the magnificent Wallingford Senior Center. The play is directed by Nicholas Rapuano, the Artistic Director of the theatrical company.

It's November (which explains the Thanksgiving turkeys in promotional material) in a Presidential election year. We are in the Oval Office and incumbent Charles Smith's chances for re-election are looking grim. Approval ratings are down and his money's running out. Though his staff has thrown in the towel and his wife has begun to prepare for her post-White House life, Charles isn't ready to give up just yet and will stop at nothing to win the election.

Concord Theatricals says “With Mamet's characteristic no-holds-barred style, ‘November’ is a scathingly hilarious take on the state of America today and the lengths to which people will go to win.

The play opened on Broadway in 2008, directed by Joe Mantello, the president was played by Nathan Lane, with Laurie Metcalf in the role of Clarice. During the pandemic, there was a reading of the play to benefit The Actors Fund of America as part of the streaming series, "Spotlight on Plays." The reading starred John Malkovich, Patti LuPone, Dylan Baker, Ethan Phillips and Michael Nichols, and was directed by David Mamet. It was streamed live on Thursday, May 7th, 2020.

In the Diamond Company Theatre production, the commander in chief, Charles H.P. Smith, is brought to life by Michael King in his debut with this company. With excellent comic timing, King makes the most of his role as a very crooked politician.

The actor has worked with the director on his film “Sandstone.” I remembered Smith from his role as Huey Calhoun in “Memphis” with Connecticut Theatre Company, Ronny in the Warner Theatre’s “Rock of Ages,” as well as Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast” at the Warner.

Carl Cannella got some of the best lines in his role of Archer Brown, a lawyer who serves Smith as a presidential adviser. Cannella makes his Diamond Theatre debut, although I remembered him from his performance as Dave Bukatinsky in “The Full Monty” at Connecticut Theatre Company.

Angela Williams also makes her Diamond Theatre debut in the role of presidential speech writer Clarice Bernstein alongside her father Richard Williams, who covers the role of “The Representative of the National Association of Turkey and Turkey Products Manufacturers.” (Seriously, that is his title.)

For his part, Richard Williams, who I remembered in the role of Jacob Marley in “A Christmas Carol” also at Connecticut Theatre Company in New Britain. Rapuano led the cast in the role of Scrooge in this same production.

Katrina Buckley plays the brief role of Native American chief Debbie Grackle (formerly Indian Chief Dwight Grackle.)

in her Diamond Theatre Company debut. Buckley appeared as Rachel in “Sandstone.” Buckley’s character is part of a one-sided telephone conversation in the first act, but does not appear onstage until the final scene.

Sound, which includes mics for the actors and some music, is done by Tristan Speed.

The director, during his curtain speech, warned that David Mamet has “a potty mouth.” Despite that, this is a very funny script brought to life by talented actors and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the more farcical elements in the play that was written in 2008 American have actually come, adding another layer of comedy for me at least.

* This play contains very strong language and adult themes throughout the nonstop three acts… consider yourself warned. The comedy is performed with one intermission and runs less than two hours. Note that evening performances begin at a comfortable 7:00 p.m.

“November” only runs one weekend at the beautiful Senior Center. Remaining performances are FEBRUARY 25 - 1PM & 7PM and FEBRUARY 26 - 1PM

Click for tickets.
Wallingford Senior Center s easy to find at 238 Washington Street in Wallingford and has plenty of parking.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.