Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents Paul Slade Smith’s The Outsider, a farcical satire about politics and government. Director Eddie Page chose this production because it mirrors our current political climate, stating that there is “no intent to undermine or endorse any party or candidate,” but it “invites us to laugh at the absurdity we all recognize.” What the show offers is a safe space for us to collectively shake our heads, throw up our hands, and laugh — because if we don’t laugh, we’ll cry.
Since the play takes place in only one setting, designer Shah Choudhury is able to transform and flesh out the stage effectively. What we have is a governor’s office: elegant, austere, and somewhat intimidating. Centered under a golden chandelier is a veritable mountain of a desk — one that makes a character muse, “Have you seen a more governor’s-looking desk than this desk?” and effectively swallows the new governor whole — when he takes a seat, all we see is the top of his head peeking out from the polished tabletop.
When a state governor is forced to resign after a salacious affair becomes public, lieutenant governor Ned Newley (Steve Rosenthal) 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’s chief of staff, Dave Riley (Jim Pearson), dives into damage control and works hard to save face, only to discover that the general public is charmed by Newley’s “realness.”
Newley’s new online fame attracts the attention of Arthur Vance (Richard Fiske), an esteemed political consultant who sees victory where Ned and Dave see a lost cause. Vance takes Ned’s “realness” and runs with it, insisting on dumbing down the new governor’s persona with flashcards and overalls and stating that Ned’s “a real phenomenon: a leader who looks like an idiot.” Political pollster Paige Caldwell (Maya Reva) shares the facts — the more inept Newley seems, the more the public adores him. Dave serves as the “straight man” 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.
With things already seeming upside-down, the plot really takes off when Newley’s affable secretary Louise Peakes (Elizabeth Replogle) inserts herself into a live interview. Louise finds herself campaigning on Newley’s ticket. America wants politicians who are “just like us!” but at what cost? Dave finds himself more and more disturbed by what’s going on around him, and takes decisive action to shed light on the absurdity of it all.
The cast works well together, and while perfect polished performances shouldn’t be expected with community theater, the occasional flub wasn’t severe enough to dampen the overall experience. Rounding out the cast are Sara Joy Lebowitz as feisty reporter Rachel Parsons and Charles Dragonette as her cameraman, A.C. Peterson. Dragonette gets laughs throughout the show with his taciturn delivery as a man who can’t be bothered, only for him later to deliver the most memorable monologue of the show. Steve Rosenthal’s comical facial expressions were a hit as well, and Jim Pearson’s escalating anxiety is well done as well.
Politics is inescapable, especially in the DC Metro area. I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us are thoroughly overwhelmed and — I’ll say it — sick of the subject overall. Still, The Outsider is charming, and it’s refreshing to find some levity in a subject that’s becoming increasingly oppressive with each headline. If there’s ever a perfect time to produce and experience The Outsiders, it’s definitely now.
Running Time: Two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
The Outsider plays through October 19, 2025, at Aldersgate Church Community Theater, 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.
The Outsider
A Comedy by Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Eddie Page
Produced by Charles Dragonette and Marg Soroos
COVID Safety: 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.
