By Marcina Zaccaria . . .
John Rubinstein remembers victory as the 34th President of the United States in Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground.
Social unrest, race riots, and eventually the assassination of John F. Kennedy eclipsed the Eisenhower legacy. What we forget is that Eisenhower saved a nation still reeling from World War II and the shock of the war in Korea. Appalled by what the newspapers are saying about him in 1962, a year after he left office, Dwight D. Eisenhower seeks to build a record, with a microphone, that would stand the test of time. In the musty Theatre at Saint Clement’s, that objective seems more than reverent.
The set design, by Michael Deegan, expertly provides a frame for the visual narrative. Images change so frequently that almost every point of Eisenhower’s text takes form in color and shape. Projection design by Joe Huppert relies on hyperreal, vast greenery with flowers. Filled with clouds, it is a contemplative place where we can see the inner workings of his mind. Family members fade in and out on the screen in black and white. Complemented by the moody and dramatic lighting design from Esquire Jauchem, the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania becomes a place to explore the beautiful and most gruesome moments of the past.
Every politician wants to be recognized for their strength, and John Rubinstein’s portrayal of former President Eisenhower is of a man particularly determined, stalwart, and somber. In Richard Hellesen’s fact-filled script, Eisenhower is a tough-talking West Point alumni who treasures his family, remembering every brother and honoring his mother. He paces through the areas of the stage that include a desk, a library, and finally an easel. Rubinstein allows Eisenhower’s expressive spirit to be released from years of disciplined military objectives. Making the way for NATO, a peacekeeping force, Rubinstein articulates the standout moments of the Eisenhower years. Rubinstein created the title role of Pippin, directed by Bob Fosse, and appeared in numerous Broadway shows, earning a Tony Award for Children of a Lesser God. In Rubinstein’s portrayal, Eisenhower appears both authoritative and reflective at 71 years old. Did Eisenhower really want to be President? Maybe not.
Gaining ground for the right objective is the unspoken subtext as Eisenhower asserts that the next generation must exercise leadership to maintain American pride. Would Eisenhower be considered one of our country’s best Presidents? Time will tell. Each year might surprisingly offer a fresh interpretation of political strides made in years already long passed.
Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground. Through July 30 at the Theatre at Saint Clement’s (423 West 46th Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues). www.eisenhowertheplay.com
Photos: Maria Baranova
