Politics

About 24 House Republicans (who are either too cheap to take a vacation or seriously despise their families) engaged in a media stunt by convening in the House chamber after Congress was officially shut down for the August recess. Speaking without microphones or lights, the stunt-makers—showing dogged tenacity in protecting their fat-cat constituents, the oil industry—have called on Democrats to schedule a vote on offshore drilling.

Apparently, the 68 million offshore acres already leased by the oil industry simply isn't good enough—nor does it play into this GOP gimmick.

The shadow session, which began on Friday, was restaged on Monday and Tuesday. Political theater? Yes, according to staunch conservative Fred "Bitter and Angry" Barnes, who said:

It's a stunt but sometimes stunts work.

Since this is pure political theater, we thought it the perfect time to call up the 23/6 theater critic to review "Gas Price Showdown."

"GAS PRICE SHOWDOWN"

Date: Performance: August 1, 2008
Extended engagement
Venue: Floor of U.S. House of Representatives

"Gas Price Showdown," a musical dramedy starring an talented ensemble of 24 rabidly right-wing members of the House of Representatives, might very well be this season's "August: Osage County." In one of the most avant-garde and minimalist productions I've seen all year, the Republicans begin their dazzling production with scant stagecraft: The stage is bathed in dim light while the actors' dialogue is carried only by the incredible strength of their vocal cords—no microphones or fancy technical wizardry here.

Newcomers John Shadegg, Mike Pense, Ted Poe, and Tom Price are wonderful playing uber-patriotic Americans, demanding that evil-doer Nancy Pelosi—who here exists only as a large cardboard cutout—return immediately to the Capitol to schedule a vote on offshore drilling.

But clearly the show belongs to conservative Southern congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Dripping with a perverse brand of Republican sex appeal, the comely Tennessean steals the heart of every red-blooded man in the audience. Her complex, lengthy, thought-provoking and ultimately meaningless monologue about the misgivings of the "Democrat" Party is laced with a sexy Southern drawn and is about as seductive a soliloquy as we've ever encountered. Not surprisingly, by the end, Blackburn wins the heart of steely, macho Ohio Congressman John Boehner. Their chemistry on the House floor is electrifying and exhilarating—they have become perhaps the most memorable duo in theater history, recalling the giddy heyday of Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne.

"Gas Price Showdown" reignites my faith in the theater. Don't miss one of the year's most spectacularly acted shows. You'll leave the theater wanting to gut and kill a Democrat!

Posted by: David Bourgeois      I’m a fan of David Bourgeois