All Too Timely: The Outsider Is Political Farce In West Boca

By Britin Haller

Just in time for a little after the election light-hearted fun comes the West Boca Theatre Company’s production of The Outsider, a farcical comedy by Paul Slade Smith that tells the story of a man who doesn’t think he wants to be king.

Poor Ned Newley. All he desires is to be the lieutenant governor of his small state and sit behind his desk working on ways to make life better for his constituents. But alas, that is not meant to be, because his boss, Governor Larry Clark, has resigned after getting caught sleeping with a beauty pageant contestant (a runner-up no less!) and the terrified Ned is unwillingly thrust into the spotlight.

After suffering a panic attack and blubbering his way through the oath of office, Ned goes viral, and there are calls for a special election to replace him. But his loyal Chief of Staff Dave Riley knows Ned is a good guy, and smart with budgets, and sets out to save the day by bringing on a practical pollster, a ludicrous political advisor, and a temporary office worker who can’t remember anyone’s name. What follows is a madcap foray into American politics and democracy that will have you howling with laughter.

As the dark horse old Nervous Nellie himself Ned Newley, Greg Schuh is lovely as the gentleman newcomer to the public political arena. Chosen as a running mate for his brain, Ned has no idea what to do now that he must learn to walk among the people and press their flesh. Schuh quickly endears the new governor to us through his folksy kindness and deep insecurities, and proves both men are the right fit for their jobs.

Beverly Blanchette is a gem and perfectly cast as Louise Peakes, a.k.a. Lulu, the temp receptionist who never gets called back because she’s just that bad. “Phones are not my strongest area,” she tells Dave. She literally steals the show, in more ways than one, when she stumbles onto Ned’s live TV interview, photobombs with the best of them, and then proceeds to introduce herself as the assistant governor, instead of an assistant to the governor. And when she somehow fumbles her way into needing a speech “My mellow Americans,” the woman who doesn’t even vote becomes the heart and soul of The Outsider. In lesser hands, a ditzy blonde character like Louise could turn into a caricature, but that never happens here. Blanchette is simply adorable.

Timothy Gore is Arthur Vance, the famous political advisor who sees Ned as another meal ticket to even more fame. Gore has impeccable comedic timing, and his bit with Blanchette’s Louise using the different colored cue cards is brilliant. With lines like “Unqualified is the new qualified,” and “We just found our dream team,” nobody does spin, or puts together a dog and pony event quite like Arthur Vance.

As Dave Riley and Paige Caldwell, Ryan Townsend and Sarah Sun Park are a great team. She’s a pollster, or as Louise calls her an “upholsterer,” and he’s a loyal team player determined to see his boss succeed. While Park’s character is serious and business-like, Townsend’s is a gerbil spinning around and around on a wheel with no end in sight. The two play off each other well.

Aletta Kemp is Rachel Parsons, the attractive local reporter with a mind of her own, who’s not happy with the way the ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ old boys’ club works. She doesn’t like lies or liars, has a nose for deception, and inadvertently helps Ned be a better man, and therefore a better governor. Kemp’s chemistry with Townsend’s Ryan is undeniable.

Rachel’s cameraman, AC Peterson, watches, listens, and says little, but when he does, it’s relevant. Actor Steven Toffler grunts with the best of them and has a nice moment giving advice to Ned.

A cute pre-show video of Ned’s disastrous swearing-in ceremony is courtesy of The Outsider directors Alan Nash and Holly Budney and Stage Manager Mark Hernandez. David Hyman plays the incredulous judge who somehow manages to get Ned sworn in against all odds. Budney also wore several hats in set decorating, costume design, and music, while Nash and Hernandez worked on the set’s scenic design.

The office of the governor is warm and inviting and looks gubernatorial with its American flag, desk globe, and massive, dark-wood desk. A portrait of the charismatic ex-Governor Larry Clark still hangs front and center taunting Ned that he’ll never match up to his predecessor in that regard. Everyone is professionally dressed, especially Vance in his tailored expensive Italian suit. Patriotic songs are used to good effect.

You might think the last thing a South Florida community would want during an election month is more talk about an election, but you would be wrong. In a play where doing the right thing is its theme, saying The Outsider is laugh-out-loud funny doesn’t do it justice, because it’s so much more than that. Laughter really is the best medicine, and The Outsider is more than ideal for what ails you, no matter what side of the fence you sit on.

In the end, a few questions remain. Will Ned do well in his new role as governor and get his own handsome portrait? Will Arthur slither back to where he came from? Will Dave and Rachel have that drink? And most importantly, will Lulu ever learn to use a phone?

Tip: while The Outsider is definitely hopeful and heartwarming, take a sweater or jacket as the auditorium will likely be cold.

Britin Haller is a mystery author and an editor for Turner Publishing. Her latest short story “So Many Shores in Crookland” can be read in the 150th issue of Black Cat Weekly. Britin’s latest edit, a cozy mystery novel called Dumpster Dying is by Michelle Bennington and available where books are sold. Find Britin across social media.

The Outsider from the West Boca Theatre Company plays through November 17 at the Levis JCC Sandler Center, 1050 95th Avenue S., Boca Raton (south of Glades Rd, west of Lyons, be prepared to present your driver’s license at the guard gate); 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays. Running time approx. 125 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets starting at $35 for non-JCC members. Call 561-558-2520, or visit levisjcc.org.