DCMetroTheaterArts: Red, White, & Voters’ Blues

Amy
Kotkin
3/14/2016
Review: ‘Hexagon 2016: Red, White, & Voters’ Blues’
dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2016/03/14/review-19/
America’s fascination with mobile phones, drones, and Fitbits were all parodied in the 2016 Hexagon show, but in
this year of unprecedented political rancor, the group’s new revue, adeptly titled Red, White and Voters’ Blues ,
focused its ribald revelry on the leading presidential candidates. And some of their hilarious barbs landed with
precision accuracy.
Hillary Clinton’s ambition to move back into the White House – this time settling into the West Wing – was portrayed
with bloodthirsty zeal by Susan Dye in a clever first act number entitled “Homesick Hillary.” Dye perfectly captures
Clinton’s cocked head, jaunty wave, and frozen smile as she preens in a signature pantsuit in front of the White
House. The sly lyrics, penned by Kathy Meyer Jeffers with music and arrangement by Walter Gilbert, included
Clinton’s aspirations not only to return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as president, but to have an intern of her
own….
By contrast, the weary Democratic electorate — workers, housewives, young people, and businessmen — signals
its lack of enthusiasm for the frontrunner in a follow-up number entitled “Holding our Noses,” (lyrics by Rick
Horowitz, music and arrangement by Walter Gilbert) echoing a phrase Clinton herself has used during the campaign
to defend some of her Senate votes.
The talented Willy LaHood as Bernie Sanders captured the Vermont senator’s energetic arm gestures as he danced
with a bevy of gorgeous fitness trainers in the very funny “Feel the Bern.” LaHood, crowned with a fluffy white wig,
makes a return appearance later in the show during the “Democratic Debate” as a pretty convincing rapper! Music
and lyrics for both were by Brandon Walker.
Of course, The Donald shows up at various times during the show, during Walker’s hip-hop inspired “Republican
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Debate” and again opposite Clinton in the company number “Unbelievable,” (lyrics by Joe Kaplan; music and
arrangement by Brock Holmes) where all the players – each for his or her own reason – marvel at how they arrived
at this point in political history.
Of the numbers satirizing our slavish devotion to gadgetry, “I Love My Phone” (lyrics and music by Richard Present,
arrangement by Porter Lyon) and performed by par excellence by Ellen Kaplan, Nicholas Bashour, and Robert
Teachout, was especially sharp and funny, while “Fit Bit Misfit” with Elizabeth Griffett, Chinwe Nwosu, and Jamie
Sinks (lyrics and music by Lois Cecsarini; arrangement by Porter Lyon) reminds us of how easy it is to inflict tyranny
on ourselves in search of super-fitness. One wishes that all the evening’s skits would rise evenly to this comic level.
The revue wound down on more serious note with “Brown Water Blues,” sung to the tune of “Wade in the Water,” a
song that was once said to have been used by Harriet Tubman to advise escaping slaves to get off the trail and into
the water to elude their captors. Dressed as a gospel choir, the company repurposed this powerful song as a
searing indictment of the Flint, Michigan water crisis.
Along with all the topical elements in this creative show, one can also expect to see some Hexagon traditions,
including a Rockettes-inspired number at the end of Act 1. “The 61 Swing,” choreographed by Ivan Davila, was
danced beautifully by the women in the company, resplendent in red-spangled costumes. Newsbreaks, another
Hexagon tradition, featured a team of professional newscasters (which changes with each performance) whose
scripts include new – and not-so-new — jokes, one-liners, and groaners.
Photo courtesy of Hexagon INC.
Now in its 61st year, Hexagon, described as “Washington’s only original political satirical musical comedy revue,” is
produced entirely by volunteers, with all proceeds going to charity. This year’s beneficiary organization is The
Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home, which provides health and life care services to low and modest income seniors
of DC.
In this season of intense political drama, it is reassuring to know that talented performers, aided by the superb
efforts of Artistic Director of Malcolm Edwards, Musical Director Brock Holmes, Costume Designers Linda Wilson
and Jamie Breckenridge, and their dedicated staff members, are ready and willing to help us make sense of it all.
Reminding us that the election is still months away, the Hexagon cast and crew invite us to enjoy a few hearty
guffaws along the way.
Running Time: Two hours with, a 15-minute intermission. 2/3
Hexagon 2016: Red, White, and Voters’ Blues plays through Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Wilson High School – 3950
Chesapeake Street, NW in Washington DC. For tickets, call the box office at (202) 333-7469 or purchase them
online.
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