Selina Fillinger’s POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive puts the spotlight on seven women navigating a political funhouse as a PR disaster goes from bad to worse for the vulgar President of the United States.
After the president’s blunder, the president’s chief of staff, Harriet (Lisa Yuen), and press secretary, Jean (Laura Latrielle) take the helm to repair the damage done with the help of the first lady (Crystin Gilmore), and admin Stephanie (Marianna Bassham). The plan is quickly derailed by an unexpected appearance from POTUS’s ex-convict sister, Bernadette (Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda), a nosey reporter Chris (Catia), and a mistress, Dusty (Monique Ward Lonergan). A drug-fueled romp around the White House ensues as the seven women work together to mask disaster.
In a production that is so wild and unexpected, it takes a strong cast to play well not only with the material but also with each other. The talent in this cast really shone through as they worked together on stage, but also allowed each actress to have individual moments to shine on stage.
Yuen and Latrielle play well off of each other as the two seemingly level-headed staff members who spend their days tiding up after POTUS. Strong-willed and for the most part the voice of reason in the mix, the pair play with stepping into the shoes of characters who are straight-laced and career driven. On the other hand, Lonergan and Carlisle-Zepeda have a chance to really flex their comedic muscles playing the wildcard characters in the show. Lonergan walks the fine line of playing Dusty’s ditzy exterior and her insightful perspective on the chaos of the situation, while Carlisle-Zepeda fully embraces Bernadette’s bold and brash personality. As the plot unravels, Bassham scores the audiences’ hearts with a performance as unexpected as the plot of the show itself.
Jenna McFarland Lord’s scenic design leaned into the comedy of errors of the plot with angled set pieces that create the illusion of funhouse walls. The set was bright, angular, and in-your-face, to drive home the punch of the material, making it apparent from the start that the creative team understood the task at hand and brought this production to life.
This performance packs a punch in a farce that keeps the audience laughing at the unexpected. POTUS is playing at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston through October 15.
The Broadway Edit 