NY TheaterOne-liners of “November” show presidents
can be horrible as well as funnyby Lucy KomisarIn America’s current political season, and following the ruinous rule of a man renowned for ignorance and corruption, intelligence and ethics are even more on the front burner than usually. On that subject, David Mamet’s “November” makes a stab at outrageous political humor, but his punch lines can’t get more extreme than the truth. The work is not so much a play as an excuse for a collection of one-liners and running gags. They’re funny, but not funny or clever enough to make you forget that we expect more from Mamet. President Charles Smith (Nathan Lane) is in the Oval Office, days before a re-election contest he will easily lose. He is venal and incompetent in a way that obviously reminds you of the present occupant. His hollowed-out world globe is a beer cooler. Lane is an over-the-top, rotund shouter. Some subtlety would have been better.  His legal counsel (Dylan Baker) tells him, “You’re the ruler of the free world,” and he responds, “Who can we shake down?” What payoffs can we demand?
 That leads into a running gag about the Thanksgiving “turkey pardon” promotion, which the President is willing to proclaim if the representative of the National Association of Turkey By-Products Manufacturers (Ethan Phillips) pays a bribe, which escalates during negotiations to $200 million.
Smith’s America is at war with Iraq, and he is thinking of attacking Iran. When the Iranian government phones, he smugly ignores the call. He threatens to send people out on “the piggy plane,” a craft painted with a pig’s face, which carries out renditions. Asked, “How is it not breaking the law to torture people,” he replies that it’s “murder in the service of a higher law.” The President’s campaign is in the doldrums. He inquires of his counsel, “What is it about me people don’t like?” The answer: “That you’re still here.” And the President’s response: “Raise the panic level.” Frighten the voters.  His bad poll numbers leads into the other running gag, built around Clarice Bernstein (Laurie Metcalf), a lesbian with a very New York accent who is the President’s speech writer. (She carries her papers in a Whole Foods canvas bag.) He is desperately in need of her to write him something brilliant. The deal she extracts is that he will officiate at her marriage to her partner at a White House ceremony. Metcalf, perfect and extremely funny in the role, dresses for the big day in a white tulle gown, sneakers and a windbreaker; no, the outfit will never grace the cover of “Bride.”
A Native American (Michael Nichols) with a deadly ethnic weapon also makes an appearance. Unfortunately, what ought to be clever satire is closer to unsubtle late night TV skits and monologues. Still, the audience votes with laughter, almost in relief that the horrors of this President aren’t real. “November.” Written by David Mamet. Directed by Joe Mantello. Starring Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Dylan Baker, Michael Nichols, Ethan Phillips. Sets by Scott Pask. Costumes by Laura Bauer. Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 West 47th Street. Tue at 7pm; Wed - Sat at 8pm; Wed & Sat at 2pm; Sun at 3pm. Running Time 1: 50. $46.50 - $99.50. 212-239-6200. http://www.novembertheplay.com/. Photos by Scott Landis. | 