Stormy — and cynical — weathers

The world premiere of ‘Cynical Weathers’ at the Biograph boasts stirring performances, gets audiences thinking about God, politics and the end of the world

By Dan Ochwat

Idealogies collide, and so do stereotypes, in the world premiere play “Cynical Weathers,” staging until May 13 at the beautifully renovated Biograph Theater, home to the highly regarded Victory Gardens Theater.

Headlined by actor Tom Amandes — best known (especially to my obsessed wife) as Dr. Abbott on the TV show “Everwood” — “Cynical Weathers” shoots to get audiences thinking about global warming, the end of the world and God through the eyes of the far left, far right and confused middle.

Amandes plays Congressman Dixon McDaniels, a moderate Texas Republican poised to push a new energy bill into Washington (obviously no reflection of George W. Bush, hence the words “moderate” and “energy bill”). However, he begins to have doubts after his newly appointed Chief of Staff, Andrea, reconnects him with God and his childhood Bible. On the other side of this political tug-of-war stands McDaniels’ raging-liberal wife, Cat, who pretty much prompted the energy bill and, without end, self-indulgently lobbies her husband.

While it’s interesting to have three characters represent the religious/political spectrum of sorts, they are pretty heavy stereotypes, and the play never really enters into a true debate. In fact, McDaniels, described as a man “with one foot in and one foot out of the religious circle,” simply just toils and torments between his lefty wife and righty muse. Cat, played shrewdly by Bethanny Alexander, at her core is an unredeemable monster of a wife, coldly rattling off stats on earth and Inuits as if she’s a walking Wikipedia file. Andrea, also played well by Lindsay Gould, is flat-out insane, believing the Rapture is on its way, when it’s really just a hurricane.

So, at the start of Act 2, we get the play’s true motivation; it’s true conflict. Will the senator choose the bitch or the savior? Will he, as the title says, fight the “cynical weathers” and choose God or choose the cyclical weather, science? Let me just say it ends perfectly.

Written by Douglas Post, this is an ambitious play. Amandes is fantastic, owning the play with a subtle command of the stage and turning in a real, confused man. However, it’s a bit too broad and even mixes in a bit too much awkward comedy. When the dysfunctional family returns from its journey avoiding the hurricane, they’re like the Griswolds from “Vacation.” And don’t get me started on the hurricane, as it comes out of nowhere. In this day and age of media coverage, you know at least a week in advance how bad the weather might be and if it could turn into a hurricane-like rain. These people are ready for the beach, and then, just like that, there’s a hurricane looming in two days. I think politicians would be informed.

But I digress, I’m a cynic. “Cynical Weathers” may not satisfy all cynics, but damn if it doesn’t give it a good try and give you something to think about along the way.

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