158. AN EVENING WITH RICHARD NIXON AND . . . From my (unpublished) ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE NEW YORK STAGE, 1970-1975

George S. Irving, Susan Sarandon.

AN EVENING WITH RICHARD NIXON AND . . . [Comedy/Biographical/Politics] A: Gore Vidal; D: Edwin Sherin; S: William Ritman; C: Joseph G. Aulisi; L: H.R Poindexter; P: Hillard Elkins; T: Sam S. Shubert Theatre; 4/30/72-5/13/72 (16)

A political satire aimed at then president Richard M. Nixon (George S. Irving), with all of the Chief Executive’s words chosen from his actual remarks. New Nixon dialogue was added whenever the president made comments author Gore Vidal thought pertinent to the play.

Stephen D. Newman, Philip Sterling.

Central to the satirical charade was Vidal’s desire to stress past and present American imperialism. Vietnam was the contemporary point of reference. Nixon’s career was held up for inspection via a “debate” between a Con (Humbert Allen Astredo, representing Vidal) and a Pro (Gene Rupert, representing leading conservative and Vidal opponent William F. Buckley), but with the dice obviously loaded on behalf of Con. George Washington (Stephen D. Newman), aided by Presidents Eisenhower (Philip Sterling) and Kennedy (Robert King), was the debate judge. (These idols were also treated to some sharp satirical thrusts.)

George S. Irving surrounded by George Hall, William Knight, Robert Blackburn, Alex Wipf, Chet Carlin.

Other world and media celebrities visualized in the spoof included Pat Nixon (Dorothy Dorian James); Gloria Steinem (Maureen Anderman); Tricia Nixon (Susan Sarandon); Lyndon B. Johnson (Robert Blackburn); Franklin D. Roosevelt; Nikita Khrushchev (Chet Carlin); Barry Goldwater (George Hall); Thomas E. Dewey (Alex Wipf), and many others.

This was a visually exciting production making effective use of multimedia techniques. It enjoyed a marvelous Nixon impression from George S. Irving, who was supported by a talent cast playing multiple roles. (Irving won the Drama Desk’s Outstanding Performance Award.) Many of the familiar faces were captured in Jane Stein’s clever mask creations. Still, the reviews were tepid, like this one from Clive Barnes averring that Vidal’s “blast at the President sparkles with firecrackers but generates more light than heat.” Brendan Gill found it all “needle sharp and exceedingly funny,” but Harold Clurman, who enjoyed a good deal of it, nevertheless thought that “too much of the evening is not very funny,” even, ultimately, depressing.

One wonders, in 2020, how many similar shows are being conceived to handle the fallout from the 45th presidency.