In FST’s ‘The Outsider,’ a Reluctant Politician Finds His Way

In his recent performances at Florida Studio Theatre, Sheffield Chastain often played colorful and dynamic characters who seem very different from the reluctant politician he portrays in the comedy “The Outside,” which is closing the company’s summer season.

Chastain revealed that when director Kate Alexander first asked him to read Paul Slade Smith’s script, he assumed she had another character in mind for him. After portraying a troubled, “mad as hell” television news broadcaster in “Network” and a showy, fringe-loving costume designer in “Troubadour,” he didn’t envision himself playing Ned Newley, a lieutenant governor suddenly thrust into the position of governor following a scandal involving his boss.

Ned Newley is not your typical politician.

“If you met this guy, you wouldn’t believe he was running for office. He can’t say a word. He is petrified of not only speaking publicly but just regular social interaction,” said Alexander. “He is ridiculous that way.”

Those around Ned believe in him, particularly his chief of staff, played by Gil Brady, another FST regular.

“I think I fundamentally believe in Ned as a candidate,” Brady said of his character, Dave Riley. “I believe in everything that’s good and right about someone like him holding a position of power. That’s why I was drawn to the role in the first place.”

Brady tends to shy away from partisan theater, aside from occasional satirical musical numbers in FST’s ongoing cabaret series, “Laughing Matters.”

In “The Outsider,” the playwright has kept it “middle of the road” and ambiguous. As Ned is encouraged to run for governor, he finds himself surrounded by experts—pollsters and political consultants—who try to give him a makeover in appearance and speaking skills. They aim for him to come across as an ordinary, relatable guy-next-door to appeal to voters. Fortunately, there’s a real person behind the awkward speaker.

“He knows everything about government. He’s trying to do the best for everyone that he can, but he’s not good at the performative aspect that we require of our politicians. He has no skill in that and he doesn’t want to do it,” Chastain said.

Ned served as state treasurer, and “people voted for him because he looked like a treasurer,” Chastain added. “He just wants to figure out Medicare reimbursements, fix roads, and help small businesses. The real things.”

Although the play deals with government and politics, Alexander and the two actors stressed that it’s not a political play.

“It’s not about politics or ideology. When you’re watching the play, you’re going to see whatever ideology you have,” Chastain noted. “You’ll think we’re talking about the other guys, not about political agendas. It skewers the voter and the people who manipulate the voters.”

Alexander described the play as easily recognizable, showcasing “the people who get pushed forward” and how they’re remade to look more exciting. “We’re a more visual culture and we’re shaped by performative art. Do you look good on TV? Do you come across well? This pushes the buttons on all of that,” she said.

Artistic Director Richard Hopkins considers it “warm and lovable because it doesn’t deal with the negatives surrounding our political world but focuses on the need for government and what it does. ‘The Outsider’ mostly deals with the follies of humanity, which makes it a great comedy.”

The cast includes returning actors such as Eileen Ward as the governor’s executive assistant; Roy Stanton as Arthur Vance, a successful political consultant who sees potential in Ned; Kevin Cristaldi as a news cameraman; and Tatiana Williams as a TV correspondent. New to the theater is Heather Patterson King, who plays the smart and confident pollster Paige Caldwell.

The production features costumes by Daniel Ciba, sets by Isabel A. Curley-Clay and Moriah Curley-Clay, and lighting by Andrew Gray.

‘The Outsider’ by Paul Slade Smith, directed by Kate Alexander, runs from July 24 to August 18 at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, located at 1265 First St., Sarasota. Tickets range from $25-$46. For more information, call 941-366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org.

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune