Back in 2000, I saw the first Broadway revival of THE BEST MAN. It starred Spaulding Gray, Charles Durning, Chris Noth, Christine Ebersole, Elizabeth Ashley, and Michael Leonard. I knew nothing about the play and after seeing this miscast and ill-conceived production, I made a note never to see the play again. Never say never..... The 2012 Broadway Revival is now called GORE VIDAL'S THE BEST MAN and has the starriest cast on Broadway including James Earl Jones, Eric McCormack, Candice Bergen, John Larroquette, and Angela Lansbury. I couldn't resist giving the play one more chance. And I'm so glad I did. This production completely cleansed me of the 2000 debacle. The play takes place in Philadelphia in 1960 at an unspecified political party's nominating convention. Larroquette and McCormack play the two leading candidates and both are competing for the endorsement of the beloved President played by Mr Jones. McCormack has dirt on Larroquette and is about to use it, Larroquette has dirt on McCormack but is against getting the nomination by smear campaign. The three act play felt brand new to me and this cast is nearly perfect. James Earl Jones is outstanding, as always. Eric McCormack proves himself to be a very able stage actor and plays the villain quite well. Candice Bergen does some nice work as Larroquette's discontent wife. Angela Lansbury has a glorified cameo in two scenes, but she is always a welcome sight on a Broadway stage and once again proves that age hasn't tainted her comedic timing. John Larroquette is fresh off his Tony winning role in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING and does superb work here. There's juicy work from Michael McKean and Jefferson Mays. The weak link in the cast is Kerry Butler, who annoys rather than entertains as McCormack's wife. It's amazing how relevant the script is 50 years after it's premiere. This is a first class production that has given me a new appreciation for both the play and Gore Vidal.
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