Is This Ethic Necessary? by Sylvia S. Cutler, October 12, 1996
Times and perspectives change, and what we thought and felt yesterday, we do not think and feel today.
Adlai Stevenson lost an election because he was unmarried ... and perhaps because he was photographed with a hole in his shoe. John F. Kennedy was elected even though he had lived a privileged life as a youth and had the notion that he could do anything he pleased regardless of whether or not it offended the public's sensibilities.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt kept mistresses in the White House and failed to use his power to help millions of people caught in the Nazi holocaust. Grover Cleveland impregnated a woman and still managed to win the 1884 election.
If a candidate has political clout and knows how to get things done, does it matter that he may be deficient in morals and ethics? That is the question posed by Gore Vidal in his 1960 play "The Best Man" and being presented by The American Century Theatre dedicated to presenting classic American plays.
In this play two opponents, both trying for their party's nomination, William Russell (Joe Jenckes) and Joe Cantwell (Michael Thornton) battle out the issues, each taking a hard stance about the manner in which they conduct the campagn. Cantwell has something on Russell--he's had psychiatric treatment, and has had several affairs to the point that his wife is all but estranged. But Russell has something on Cantwell--that Cantwell was on an island in World War II for a long period of time and might have been involved in homosexual activity. Cantwell has no compunction about revealing what he knows--he will do anything it takes to win the nomination, say anything that's required. He is so loosely anchored, he will change his position at will, depending on who was the last person he talked to. Truth doesn't phaze him; any old lie will do. On the other hand, Russell refuses to sling mud and won't use the information, true or not.
However, President Art Hockstader (Allen F. Reed) is encouraging both of them to fight with any weapons they possess; and both are anxious to gain Hockstader's support. Hockstader is dying of cancer; Russell is sympathetically sorry; Cantwell pays no attention to the ailing man's statement but just steams ahead about his own thoughts and ideas.
Maura McGinn plays Alice Russell, the supportive wife, who puts her own sorrows aside to help the husband. Janet Pryce plays Mabel Cantwell, attractive and assured, certain that the opponent hasn't a chance against her husband.
There was an outstanding supporting cast including Rena Cherry Brown as Mrs. Gamadge, a party spokesperson with clout. Russell's associate, Dick Jensen was thoughtfully played by Stan Shulman. The casting was superb, and the acting first rate.
An attractive set was designed by Michael Murray and it served as the suite for both candidates. Costumes were especially appropriate for the late fifties. Joe Jenckes as the candidate looked like a politician, spoke like a politician, had the stance and even the facial expressions of a politician. I would have bet my bottom dollar that he was running for president in 1996, and he was so superb in the role, I would gladly vote for him. Considering that Russell had been less than ethical in his dealings with his wife, he was strangely convincing as an ethical man. The final scene was astonishing and logical. "I won't have you as President," he told Joe Cantwell, "And I'll do whatever I have to do to keep you out of office. You're a dangerous man!"
"The Best Man" runs until November 9 at Gunston Arts Center, Theatre II. Phone 703-553-8782