November (play)

November
Written by David Mamet
Date premiered January 7, 2008
Place premiered Ethel Barrymore Theatre
New York City
Original language English
Genre Comedy
Setting A few days before a major presidential election in the Oval Office of the White House

November is a 2007 play written by American playwright David Mamet.[1]

November premiered on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on January 17, 2008. The production was directed by Joe Mantello and starred Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Ethan Phillips, Michael Nichols and Dylan Baker.[2]

Billed as a comedy, November centers on President Charles Smith (Lane) several days before his second election. Metcalf played Clarice Bernstein, Smith's speechwriter, and Baker played Archer Brown, Smith's advisor. Phillips portrayed The Turkey Representative, and Nichols portrays Indian Chief Dwight Grackle.

The play received mixed reviews.[3] Ben Brantley (of The New York Times) wrote that it is a "glib and jaunty new play", and that "Mr. Lane, it goes without saying, knows exactly how to pitch such lines, with a time-honed style that allows him to put the maximum spin on poisonous zingers and still keep the audience on his side."[4]

Metcalf received a Tony Award nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Play.

The New England premiere took place at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston. It was directed by Daniel Gidron.

It premiered at Houston's Alley Theatre on August 24, 2012.

References

  1. Robertson, Campbell (2007-05-10). "Mamet to Return to Theater of Politics". New York Times.
  2. Hernandez, Ernio (2007-12-20). "Election Day: Lane Is U.S. President in Mamet's November on Broadway". Playbill.
  3. http://www.broadwaystars.com/news/2008/01/18/
  4. Brantley, Ben. "Mamet, Cornered in the Oval Office", The New York Times, 18 January 2008.

External links