{"id":379013,"date":"2025-10-06T12:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=379013"},"modified":"2025-10-06T12:00:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T12:00:12","slug":"refreshing-farce-about-politics-in-the-outsider-at-aldersgate-church-community-theater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/10\/06\/refreshing-farce-about-politics-in-the-outsider-at-aldersgate-church-community-theater\/","title":{"rendered":"Refreshing farce about politics in ‘The Outsider’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents Paul Slade Smith<\/strong>\u2019s The Outsider<\/em>, a farcical satire about politics and government. Director Eddie Page<\/strong> chose this production because it mirrors our current political climate, stating that there is \u201cno intent to undermine or endorse any party or candidate,\u201d but it \u201cinvites us to laugh at the absurdity we all recognize.\u201d What the show offers is a safe space for us to collectively shake our heads, throw up our hands, and laugh \u2014 because if we don\u2019t laugh, we\u2019ll cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the play takes place in only one setting, designer Shah Choudhury<\/strong> is able to transform and flesh out the stage effectively. What we have is a governor\u2019s office: elegant, austere, and somewhat intimidating. Centered under a golden chandelier is a veritable mountain of a desk \u2014 one that makes a character muse, \u201cHave you seen a more governor\u2019s-looking desk than this desk?\u201d and effectively swallows the new governor whole \u2014 when he takes a seat, all we see is the top of his head peeking out from the polished tabletop.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Maya Reva (Paige), Elizabeth Replogle (Louise), Jim Pearson (Dave), and Steve Rosenthal (Ned) in \u2018The Outsider.\u2019 Photo by Howard Soroos.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When a state governor is forced to resign after a salacious affair becomes public, lieutenant governor Ned Newley (Steve Rosenthal<\/strong>) finds himself the unwilling new chief executive. Self-conscious and a bundle of nerves, Newley fumbles and mumbles throughout his swearing-in ceremony, an embarrassing moment that goes viral online. While he shows himself to be extremely intelligent and able when the cameras are off, Newley struggles with his public persona and falls to pieces in front of an audience. Newley\u2019s chief of staff, Dave Riley (Jim Pearson<\/strong>), dives into damage control and works hard to save face, only to discover that the general public is charmed by Newley\u2019s \u201crealness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newley\u2019s new online fame attracts the attention of Arthur Vance (Richard Fiske<\/strong>), an esteemed political consultant who sees victory where Ned and Dave see a lost cause. Vance takes Ned\u2019s \u201crealness\u201d and runs with it, insisting on dumbing down the new governor\u2019s persona with flashcards and overalls and stating that Ned\u2019s \u201ca real phenomenon: a leader who looks like an idiot.\u201d <\/a>Political pollster Paige Caldwell (Maya Reva<\/strong>) shares the facts \u2014 the more inept Newley seems, the more the public adores him. Dave serves as the \u201cstraight man\u201d in this farce, the one seemingly sane person who gets more and more bewildered by the chaotic world around him, until he ends up whimpering on the floor in the fetal position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With things already seeming upside-down, the plot really takes off when Newley\u2019s affable secretary Louise Peakes (Elizabeth Replogle<\/strong>) inserts herself into a live interview. Louise finds herself campaigning on Newley\u2019s ticket. America wants politicians who are \u201cjust like us!\u201d but at what cost? Dave finds himself more and more disturbed by what\u2019s going on around him, and takes decisive action to shed light on the absurdity of it all.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The cast of \u2018The Outsider.\u2019 FRONT ROW: Sara Joy Lebowitz (Rachel), Steve Rosenthal (Ned), and Elizabeth Replogle (Louise); BACK ROW: Maya Reva (Paige), Richard Fiske (Arthur), Charles Dragonette (A.C. Peterson), and Jim Pearson (Dave). Photo by Howard Soroos.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The cast works well together, and while perfect polished performances shouldn\u2019t be expected with community theater, the occasional flub wasn\u2019t severe enough to dampen the overall experience. Rounding out the cast are Sara Joy Lebowitz<\/strong> as feisty reporter Rachel Parsons and Charles Dragonette<\/strong> as her cameraman, A.C. Peterson. Dragonette gets laughs throughout the show with his taciturn delivery as a man who can\u2019t be bothered, only for him later to deliver the most memorable monologue of the show. Steve Rosenthal\u2019s comical facial expressions were a hit as well, and Jim Pearson\u2019s escalating anxiety is well done as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Politics is inescapable, especially in the DC Metro area. I think it\u2019s safe to say that a lot of us are thoroughly overwhelmed and \u2014 I\u2019ll say it \u2014 sick of the subject overall. Still, The Outsider<\/em> is charming, and it\u2019s refreshing to find some levity in a subject that\u2019s becoming increasingly oppressive with each headline. If there\u2019s ever a perfect time to produce and experience The Outsiders<\/em>, it\u2019s definitely now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running Time: Two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Outsider<\/strong><\/em><\/a> plays through October 19, 2025, at Aldersgate Church Community Theater<\/a>, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, VA. Tickets ($17.39 with service fee for senior, student, and active-duty military; and $20.57 with service fee for general admission) can be purchased at the door or online.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Outsider<\/em><\/strong>
A Comedy by Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Eddie Page
Produced by Charles Dragonette and Marg Soroos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COVID Safety: <\/strong> For your health and safety, we invite you to wear your mask while in the building.  All cast and crew are fully vaccinated and boosted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The charming show offers a safe space for us to collectively shake our heads, throw up our hands, and laugh. 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