"Israel Potter, American Patriot"

August 4, 2016 — The full, ungainly title of this new play is "The Almost True and Truly Remarkable Adventures of Israel Potter, American Patriot," having its world premiere at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire. Written by Joe Bravaco and Larry Rosler, based on a novel by Herman Melville, the play follows the life of Israel Potter from early adulthood to his senior years, and his unlikely involvement with many of the famous participants in the American Revolution and its aftermath.

Click the photo for an enlargement of the beautiful set designed by Dan Daly and constructed, unbelievably, in just two days by Andrew Stuart and his crew. Six actors, each playing multiple roles, skillfully use this set and its furnishings as props to represent many different scenarios.

Mike Newman, as Israel Potter, is the only actor playing a single role. All the others play several parts each, often with little more than minor costume changes and an assortment of wigs. Some male roles are played by women, notably Molly Parker Myers in one of the best Ben Franklin portrayals I've seen. James Hesse is outstanding as the bombastic John Paul Jones. Brent Alan Burington is equally impressive as the pompous, self-promoting Ethan Allen. Nicholas Wilder was as irrepressible as always as Ticknor and other characters, and Rebecca Tucker slipped effortlessly into multiple roles, principally Potter's fiancee, heartbroken when he departs for an uncertain future fighting for the American cause.

Directed for the Playhouse by Matt Cahoon, the play is a mix of historical fact and fiction, performed by gifted actors who skillfully switch between multiple characters, sometimes several in a matter minutes. You have to pay close attention to follow the swift action. Funny and poignant, this play was a real audience-pleaser.