Illinois Wesleyan School of Theater Arts’ first main-stage production of the year, “The Outsider” opened October 2 with a hilarious and successful start.
Based on the book of the same title by Paul Slade Smith, the production is a political satire. “The Outsider” is centered on a seemingly idiotic lieutenant who is thrust into the position of governor, while his flustered chief of staff tries to save his career. IWU alum and director Melanie Keller brought this to life.
The entirety of the play took place in the governor’s office, which gave viewers an intimate experience of the story. The detail SoTA put into the set made it easy for me to feel as if I were right there alongside the characters. The warm lighting gave the set a homey feel, as I imagined the office of a small-town governor might be.
The spotlights zeroing in on characters during pivotal moments took the cake. Most notably during senior Marie Santogrossi’s monologue as Louise Peaks in the second act. Louise Peaks is the ditzy temp employed by the governor’s office. Her character brought a sunshine energy to the otherwise stressed ensemble, and Santogrossi played the part incredibly.
The seven-person cast featured mostly sophomores, with four out of the seven in their second year of the program, which I believe spoke to their dedication. Sophomore Christian Hoffman, who played the major role of new governor Ned Newley, had the entire theater erupting in laughter without uttering a word. While his character may argue that he was not built for working a crowd, Hoffman’s physical portrayal of the socially awkward politician was a highlight of the entire show.
Junior Sam Landt played the role of political consultant perfectly. Sophomore Ella Barrick Baldwin played pollster Paige Caldwell who contrasted wonderfully with Landt’s character’s loud and bold sense of humor. Junior Hannah Steck played the chief of staff Jane Riley. Steck’s performance of Riley, who is just struggling to hold everything together, immersed the audience in the story from start to finish.
Sophomores Sage Mattson and Mikayla Preston, who played reporter Rachel Parsons and camera operator A.C. Peterson, respectively, were another standout duo.
Preston’s almost silent character brought many laughs, but also much thought. Preston’s monologue in the second act of the show prompted viewers to question what the government means and what it can do for them. With the election on the horizon, it couldn’t be more timely. The entire cast gave an exceptional performance, the show’s political nature blended with its comedy comes at a very appropriate time during election season.
The show received a standing ovation from the theater. “The Outsider” ran from October 2-6, and marked the first show put on by the School of Theater Arts. SoTA’s upcoming student-written play festival, running from October 25-27 will be held in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre.