POTUS Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive is an uproariously funny, gloriously over-the-top, slapstick comedy about a group of women at the White House trying to save the nation, and not just the President’s butt. It is hysterical, racy, and vulgar (in the best way). The show soars thanks to the brilliant comic performances from its talented cast of terrific actresses. With popular songs celebrating female power, POTUS is also a not very subtle commentary about how high achieving women are still perceived as “not good enough” for the top job, even though the President is… well… a jerk.
There are seven women in this tale of calamity. They are all from different walks of life, each dealing with their own challenges and responsibilities. They are also dealing with a man who may not appreciate them in the way they believe he does.
The fun starts with Harriet (Astrid Van Wieren), the White House Press Secretary, and the Communications Officer Jean (Jennifer Villaverde) conferring about a HUGE gaffe by the President. He used a notorious swear word that one should never use to describe a woman. Naturally, this blunder leads to an international crisis. On a day jam packed with official appearances, including a meeting with a council of feminists, Harriet, Jean, and the First Lady Margaret (Rachel Crawford) try to spin the fallout. Just as the tide may turn around, Dusty (Kayleigh Choiniere), a blonde bombshell arrives with a bombshell of her own. The President’s sister Bernadette (Elvira Kurt), who is also a convicted drug felon, arrives for favours too. In the mix is Chris (Cherissa Richards), a reporter looking for a political scoop of her own before her male colleague. The careful plans to control the crisis go off the rails leading to an unexpected catastrophe. The women then try to band together using their special talents to save the day (and perhaps the country). But it doesn’t help when Stephanie (Catherine Fitch), an over-anxious assistant, accidentally ingests some of Bernadette’s “products” and starts running around the White House in mad-cap abandon.
The cast is fantastic- great chemistry, all clicking together with perfect timing. The revolving sets were fantastic, complemented with excellent light changes. The effect gives the White House a bit of a three-ring circus, with slamming doors, and raucous action.
Sometimes talent, skills, and education are not enough to merit respect and career advancement. Sometimes, you have to make a lot of noise, and a lot of mess, to make yourself visible. It might save the world.
Photo credit: Emelia Hellman
POTUS. Written by Selina Fillinger. Directed by Lisa Rubin. Show continues until June 2, at Segal Centre, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal. Call the box office 514-739-7944 or go to www.segalcentre.org .
