"It doesn't take very long to understand that what at first appears to be a wisecracking political comedy has a heart of purest mush. This sentimentality is so nakedly apparent possibly because much of its humor has the quality of yellowed newsprint...A play like ‘State of the Union’ can, arguably, work if it gets the right care and feeding, but in this case...Livingston, hasn't succeeded in assembling a cast well-enough versed in slick high-comedy style."
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“Invariably, the play evokes comparisons with the current political environment...The script may periodically show its age, but kudos once again to the marvelous Metropolitan Playhouse for mounting a revival of a rarely produced play...Livingston has drawn fine performances...If the government could work as efficiently and cohesively as this small company, the state of the union would be in excellent shape indeed.”
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“Lindsay and Crouse (known today for The Sound of Music) have written an entertaining and witty look at backroom politics which suddenly seems contemporary all over again. Laura Livingston's high-powered production of State of the Union, which raised eyebrows when it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1946, proves to be an entertaining and sleekly well-oiled machine that has much to say to us today when divisive politics and politicians lacking in honesty and integrity are the name of the game.”
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"Is the play dated? Yes, but entertainingly so...As good as the drama is, it needs an able cast to breathe life into the script. Fortunately, the 19 actors assembled here are up to the task...The production values come without razzamatazz here, but that's fine...Directed by Laura Livingston, this no-frills production enjoys good timing. 'State of the Union' isn't a hard-headed expose of a presidential campaign. But it sure gives you a taste of the hustle and bustle of American politics."
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“Music recordings from the era are delightful and add much to set the scenes. This production promotes robust democratic republic discussion and is as relevant today as it was in 1945...Grab your favorite Republican, Democrat, or Independent and head over to see the 'State of the Union' for some political satire, human nature, American politics and comedy...Get out and see this production.”
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"The play, even with the sting taken out of its tail by its lack of topical tang, and given a necessarily low-budget, less-than-sterling revival, remains interesting…On paper, much of the humor shows promise, but, in…Livingston's lively but comically flat production, the laughs come few and far between…The acting ranges from sprightly to serviceable to mediocre to better luck next time…Hard to endorse for any but political junkies and cognoscenti in search of lost Broadway treasures."
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"Consistent with other Broadway comedies of its era, 'State of the Union' has an enormous amount of exposition before things really get going. The exposition’s interesting enough, the initial action is engaging, and the dialogue is sprightly throughout...What a boon that the Metropolitan Playhouse has figured out how to stage this almost-forgotten comedy on a shoestring."
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"Uncannily fresh, 'State of the Union' is filled with crisp dialogue, witty banter, slithering irony and thoughtful perspectives before detonating in a delectably enjoyable third act...'State of the Union' is a long three act play which requires a little patience as it simmers until its grand payoff...This selection is particularly inspired and should become a play revived at least by regional theaters everywhere."
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