Pitman's Freight Room said ideal venue for staging premier of 'Political Suicide'

LACONIA — Academy Award winning author Ernest Thompson says that one of the motivations for "Political Suicide", a collection of four new short plays which will open just before the New Hampshire Primary at Pitman's Freight House in downtown Laconia, was his own realization of how much American politics has changed during his lifetime.

"I came of age in the 1960s, which was a fabulous time to grow up and took part in my share of protests. I remember I particularly disliked Richard Nixon. But years later, when he cried at his wife's funeral, it occurred to me that, even though I had different political views, that Nixon was a part of a common humanity with the same feelings and emotions that we all have. When I was younger I recall that everyone, Republicans and Democrats, just like the campaign button 'We Like Ike' said, really did like and respect President Eisenhower,'' says Thompson.

But he says that today's bitterly divisive, hyper-partisan politics, with it's lack of respect and civility and continual gridlock, shows a corrosive quality that divides and weakens the country and makes it less able to deal with its' myriad problems.

"There are no adults in the room any more, no sense of shared responsibility. It's all an adolescent turf war,'' says Thompson, who says that he still recalls how at one time a career in politics was seen as the ambition of the nation's ''best and the brightest'' but that no longer holds true.

One of the plays "Rewrite", touches on that theme, depicting the disillusionment with the state of American politics of a veteran United States Senator who returns to the small town where his career began 40 years before. There, he is challenged by a long-time supporter and critic, the still lovely and still passionate editor of the local newspaper.

Interestingly enough the play is a second draft of the play which Thompson had previously performed with fellow Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Karen Black, who was a 1970 Oscar nominee for her role in ''Five Easy Pieces'' as Jack Nicholson's aspiring country singing-waitress girlfriend.

Other plays in "Political Suicide" include "Potato Head for President", which imagines taking the best of each candidate and creating one who might excite the two jaded polling place volunteers and the two eager young voters who struggle to find inspiration, not to mention faith in the process.

In "Occupy New Lexington", a restless young man in a small town in New Hampshire dreams of being part of the movement. It's a lonely crusade when no one shows up to hear his impassioned entreaty on behalf of the 99-percent. Except, that is, for the police chief, who has his own unique take on the protest and the protestor.

In "Welfare Thee Well", poor Ruth Madoff is down to her last two million and Katrina Belair, a recent widow, whose very wealthy husband left her penniless, has to swallow hard and find out if she qualifies for assistance.

Thompson says that people of all political persuasions will enjoy the plays. "We're equal opportunity offenders. There's lot's to make fun of on all sides of the political spectrum.''

Best known as the author of ''On Golden Pond'', which he wrote at the age of 28, Thompson has had a long career not only as a writer, but also as an actor and director, having performed and directed in all kinds of venues, large and small, all over the world.

In addition to Thompson, who has performed on Broadway and in regional theaters throughout America, as well as in numerous films, most recently "Time and Charges" and "Heavenly Angle", both written and directed by Thompson through Whitebridge Farm Productions of New Hampton; actors include Pat Langille, whose extensive stage resume includes last summer’s Winnipesaukee Playhouse run of "Steel Magnolias"; Austine Howard, who has performed frequently at the Little Church Theater and in Los Angeles; Meredith Imbimbo of Gilford, a recent graduate of Franklin Pierce University, and Evan Clinton from Moultonborough.

Thompson says that a black box theatre, capable of seating about 70 people, is being set up in Pitman's Freight Room and will provide an intimate setting for the performances.

''It's almost as if the audience is a part of the play. There's a sense of participation which both actors and those in the audience really enjoy,'' says Thompson.

Several new songs written by Thompson and composer Joseph Deleault will also make their world premiere at the event, including recordings of "This Isn't Your Party" sung by Samantha Farrell, who has opened for the Dave Matthew’s Band and "Someone to Care", performed by long time singer with the Saturday Night Live Band, Christine Ohlman.

Thompson said that he fell in love with the the Pitman Freight Room while scouting locations and attended a Jazz Night performance at the NH Jazz Center, which brings renowned jazz artists to Laconia every Thursday night.

"It's a great location. I thought that it would be the ideal place for these performances.'' he says. Talk-backs with the author and the cast will be held at selected shows.

Special primary weekend performances are scheduled for Sunday, January 8 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday, January 9 and primary night Tuesday, January 10 at 8 p.m. Performances continue Fridays through Sundays January 13, 14, 15, February 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. with more Sunday matinees on January 15 and February 5 and 12.

General admission is $25, seniors and students $20. Group rates are available. Go to www.whitebridgefarmproductions.com or call 744-3652 for reservations and more information.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Getting ready for Sunday's premiere of "Political Suicide", a series of four short plays described as ''funnier than the debates'' are actors Evan Clinton of Moultonborough; Austine Howard of Holderness; Pat Langille, Meredith Imbimbo of Gilford and author, director and actor Ernest Thompson of New Hampton. (Courtesy photo)