Politically stimulating drama

Election-year production of 'Trumbo' is timely

By Kerry Reid | SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

May 7, 2008

If recently ousted Environmental Protection Agency official Mary Gade, whose principles when confronting Dow Chemical apparently cost her her job, needs some solace these days, she might want to consider a trip to TimeLine Theatre. There, the feisty spirit of screenwriter, novelist, raconteur and convicted felon (for contempt of Congress during the dark days of the House Committee on Un-American Activities) Dalton Trumbo comes to life in a low-key but bighearted production of "Trumbo," starring Howard Witt in the title role.

Created from his father's voluminous letters for a one-night fundraiser for the First Amendment Blacklist Project 11 years ago by Christopher Trumbo, the piece has played around various locations with various stars assaying the lead, from Steve Martin to Paul Newman to Nathan Lane. Devised to be presented book-in-hand, it's not a full-scale biodrama, but rather a series of glimpses into the sometimes-irascible, sometimes-charming blacklisted scribe who refused to sell out his friends for financial and personal security.

Suffering fools wasn't Trumbo's strong suit.

He ended a letter to a firm he wished to hire for some work at his ranch house outside Los Angeles, whose quoted price for said work was apparently exorbitant, with "Please extend my holiday wishes to everyone at the thuggery." From letters to timid friends who refused to stand and be counted during the dark days of the blacklist (one such friend is called "a political hermaphrodite" by a furious Trumbo) to the principal of the school where his daughter receives the silent treatment because of her father's reputation, "Trumbo" leaves little doubt that the Academy Award-winning screenwriter for "The Brave One" (written under the "front" name of Robert Rich) could work up a full head of righteous (and prolix) steam. Yet his warmer and more vulnerable side also comes through, particularly in letters to his son, including one accompanying a book titled "Sex Without Guilt" (sent in a plain brown wrapper, of course), in which he waxes nostalgic to his college-age offspring about the joys of onanism.

Given its creator's pedigree, it's perhaps inevitable that a whiff of hagiography hangs about the edges of the play, and Trumbo's own changing feelings on militarism and communism don't come into sharp focus (he requested that his 1939 anti-war novel, "Johnny Got His Gun," be recalled after Germany invaded the Soviet Union). But director Louis Contey has found a comfortably wry tone for the material, and Witt and David Parkes (who plays Christopher and a few smaller roles, including an overbearing House committee interrogator) have an easy and engaging chemistry.

As a companion piece to TimeLine's rousing revival of "Fiorello!" "Trumbo" is an eminently suitable reminder in this election year of those who choose to exploit guilt by association and pander to popular prejudices.

"Trumbo"
When: Through June 2

Where: TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave.

Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Tickets: $15 at 773-281-8463 or www.timelinetheatre.com