Getting political at the Pear Getting political at the Pear (October 08, 2004)

Lead actor shines in Pear's thought-provoking 'Veracruz'

By Marc Burkhardt

Art often draws inspiration from life, but rarely is it so prescient.

"Veracruz," a politically charged drama currently running at Mountain View's Pear Avenue Theatre, deals with such topics as a suspect invasion into foreign territory, the influence of "Big Oil," manipulation of the media and the suspected abuse of prisoners.

Sounds like fit subjects for a Bush-Kerry debate, but "Veracruz" actually deals with a little-remembered American incursion into Mexican territory that occurred in 1914. Instead of Dan Rather and Donald Rumsfeld, the central characters in this particular drama are famed author Jack London and the young Douglas MacArthur, an ambitious army captain who would one day rise to the rank of five-star general and defy President Harry Truman over the Korean War.

The play centers around London, an embedded journalist in Mexico eager to write about topics of more import than his wildly popular "chesty tales." He's also desperate to keep creditors off his back.

His life is further complicated by a substantial appetite for booze and prostitutes, as well as a lingering sense of duty to the socialist cause London fervently supported in his youth.

Enter MacArthur, the potential answer to London's desire for journalistic greatness and a steady paycheck. The slick, glad-handing soldier is eager to have "America's greatest author" write of his military exploits, and offers London the scoop on a potential ground invasion.

Yet another journalist and fellow socialist, Fred Boalt, has uncovered potential mistreatment of Mexican prisoners by the American military. Will London follow his ideals and pursue the prison story, or sell out to MacArthur?

The play, which could be interpreted as a study of media complicity in modern warfare, places much of the action squarely on London's shoulders. Its success or failure, therefore, rests on the actor chosen for the role.

Happily, director Jeanie Forte found a winner in Mark D. Messersmith, who portrays London's struggle so effectively that the audience is simultaneously touched, and somewhat repelled, by his competing flaws and desires. His performance is one of the most nuanced, three-dimensional portraits I've seen in quite some time. Put simply, he is worth the price of admission alone.

As London's long-suffering, but strong-willed wife, Charmian, Holli Hornlien delivers a grounded performance that firmly establishes her character as the play's moral compass.

However, the other supporting characters are less memorable. The chief flaw in the Pear's production is Ron Talbot's portrayal of MacArthur, one of the most charismatic individuals of the 20th century.

Talbot, who is admittedly saddled with some awkward dialogue concerning the "white man's burden" that connects the political dots for audience members, fails to convey the power and will of a man who attracted enough popular support to challenge a U.S. president.

In Talbot's hands, MacArthur instead comes across as a mealy-mouthed weasel who has more in common with Frank Burns of "MASH" fame.

The script, written by John F. Levin during the first Gulf War, is a bit patchy -- evocative when dealing with personal issues, but heavy-handed on political matters.

Despite such misgivings, however, "Veracruz" is still worth the time for anyone interested in a thought-provoking evening highlighted by a remarkable performance. The Pear is to be commended for tackling such substantive works in these politically sensitive times.

Information

What: The world premiere of John Levin's "Veracruz"

Where: Pear Avenue Theatre, 1220 Pear Avenue, Unit K

When: Through Oct. 10. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $20 general; $15 students and seniors for Friday and Saturday shows; $15 general; $10 students and seniors for Thursday and Sunday shows.

Call: 254-1148 or visit www.thepear.org.

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