Karen MacDonald Gives a Helluva Performance in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins
Molly Ivins was a leftist journalist who wrote in and about the politically conservative state of Texas for most of her career. Her brash, biting, mocking, satirical columns ultimately brought her to the attention of American liberal ideologues. With the ascendancy to the oval office of George W. Bush, whom she nicknamed Shrub, Ivins reached the height of her notoriety. Her favorite Texas political chump had become big news.
Now at Boston’s Lyric Stage, the one-woman show, Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, assembled by first- time playwrights Margaret Engel and Allison Engel, is composed of political commentary, biography, and anecdotes. Since much of the material is taken directly from Ivins’ writing, it is generally funny, intelligent, and thought provoking.
Boston actress Karen MacDonald’s polished performance is the bright light of the play. Her character combines aspects of the hard drinking good old boy she needed to be to succeed as a journalist – then, a man’s profession – with southern charm. Poised and smooth, she moves about the stage as if she owns it. Her timing is impeccable.
MacDonald is given a down-home look by designer Sarie Gessner. Made up and dressed to resemble Molly Ivins, she wears a red wig, an unbuttoned denim shirt, a red jersey underneath, jeans, and cowboy boots.
Although Ivins died in 2006, Katharine Burkhart’s simple setting harks back to the beginning of her career in the early 60s. Ivins’ metal desk complete with a mechanical typewriter sits stage center, allowing the actress to speak directly to the audience, when needed. The back wall, covered in newspapers bearing Ivins’ articles, is also used for occasional projections. Filing cabinets, a stack of newspapers, and a decrepit AP machine round out the set.
Despite its vivid character, the play does not hang together. Transitions seemed a particularly awkward problem for the playwrights. New scenes are introduced by the sound of an article – usually Molly’s – coming in over the wire. A silent helper appears, takes the article to Ivins, who reads it, and moves to the next bit. Perhaps the helper was supposed to be a sight gag. If so, it didn’t work.
The biographical angle is underdeveloped. We learn that Ivins came from a wealthy far-right family, that her political views offended her authoritarian father, that her mother was disappointed by Molly’s looks – 6 feet tall and decidedly not cute – that she fell in love twice and lost both men to untimely deaths, and that she died after several bouts of breast cancer. The lack of detail turns these stories into factoids and/or anecdotes.
At the performance I attended, the audience, attuned to Ivins’ politics, applauded speeches and laughed heartily at familiar political references.
Red Hot Patriot plays until Jan. 31, 2015.
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston presents Red-Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins
Written by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel
Directed by ……….. Courtney O’Connor
Scene Design ………Katharine Burkhart
Costume Design ……Sarie Gessner
Lighting Design ……Chris Brusberg
Cast
Karen MacDonald …. Molly Ivins
Jacob Athyal ……….. Helper