On Jan. 30, The Ridgefield Theater Barn will present a staged reading of the original play I, Nixon, by Stanley Kutler.
Kutler is best known for bringing a successful law suit against the National Archives and Nixon, to force the release of the long-suppressed tapes, or as he likes to put it, “liberate them”.
The book of the tapes, Abuse of Power: The New Nixon Tapes, was his inspiration for this play. Kutler says, “I was under a lot of presure to get it done. I’d be up early in the morning, with my eyes popping out of my head—it was then that I saw this is high-class drama.”
It’s hard to dispute Kutler’s assertion that, “Nixon is the most recognizable of the last seven presidents.”
But according to Kutler, his play is different from other stories of Nixon and the Watergate events we’re familiar with because his, “is the closest approximation to historical ‘truth’. Don’t believe in the cardboard figure portrayed in Frost/Nixon. Nixon, as I argue, was an old actor now working the public stage. That is how I tried to portray him, warts and all, good and bad.”
The tapes were a treasure trove of information, though Kutler admits he was forced to leave much out because of length, “you have to cut somewhere!”
I, Nixon will be presented as a staged reading January 30th at 7:30pm at the Ridgefield Theater Barn. There will be a talkback with the author, director and cast immediately following the reading.
Admission is free and no reservations are required. Seating is theater style and light refreshments will be served. For more information please visit www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org
