A Fresh & Frisky Political Comedy

Winner of the Community Theatre Association of Michigan
New Plays Competition

Political finagling, candle-lit romance, pygmy hips, three mysterious, but unseen native American chiefs, an ancient treaty in an oilskin pouch, a Navajo blanket, and an ancient legend . . .  All bets are off in this sophisticated comedy of manners and mores in the nation's capital.

Schuyler Bennett, a prominent, but self-centered senior Republican U.S. senator, is seeking reelection, but the polls show that he faces certain defeat.

He complains that his world traveling, anthropologist wife Verna is never around when he needs her and always around when he wishes she weren’t. His only solace is in the alluring Fiona O’Connell, his private secretary who has become his mistress while Verna has been out of the country. Although savvy, Fiona waits in vain for Schuyler to ask Verna for a divorce and make a permanent commitment to her. a prominent, but self-centered senior Republican U.S. senator, is seeking reelection, but the polls show that he faces certain defeat.

He complains that his world traveling, anthropologist wife Verna is never around when he needs her and always around when he wishes she weren’t. His only solace is in the alluring Fiona O’Connell, his private secretary who has become his mistress while Verna has been out of the country. Although savvy, Fiona waits in vain for Schuyler to ask Verna for a divorce and make a permanent commitment to her.

Complications build when the Senator’s Georgetown house is picketed (offstage) by three Indian chiefs. Sean Fairweather, a young and idealistic Democrat freshman congressman of Navajo heritage, appears and offers a deal: the senator’s support for an ancient treaty in exchange for helping the Senator get reelected. There’s just one hitch — Sean will give the treaty to Schuyler only if the Senator uses his influence with the White House to assure passage of another bill which Sean is introducing in Congress.

When Verna unexpectedly returns from abroad, armed with the truth about her husband and Fiona, she decides to take action. A candlelit dinner for two turns into a free-for-all for four. Fiona falls out of love with Schuyler and in love with Sean. Schuyler and Verna come to an appreciation of their own relationship. Making it all happen are Verna’s cunning, and two Navajo blankets and the legend of the Witching Tree.

 (2 m., 3 f., single set)

". . . a fine play!  . . . roar at lines which describe current political behaviors."
-- Roswell, NM Record

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