Barn Players "Frost/Nixon" review by KConfidential

Frost in June
Rating: 4

Frost / Nixon 

The Barn Players, Inc.

The artist formerly known as Prince once sang "Sometimes it Snows in April," but rarely does it frost in June. The Barn Players have stepped outside of the comfort zone of community theatre once again to produce an ambitious and (mostly) satisfying work, Peter Morgan's "Frost/Nixon."

The play is obviously indebted to its titular characters and this is where the Barn's production proves extraordinary. Bill Pelletier as Richard M. Nixon and Rick Williamson as David Frost are about as perfect for their parts as one can imagine in KC or elsewhere. Not only do they embody the iconographic characteristics of these historic figures, but they imbue them with their own ethos that moves the audience to hate and empathy and all the other emotions wrapped up in political scandal. The climactic scene between these two characters is one of the most compelling moments of theatre I have experienced in recent memory.

Kudos are also due to Kate O'Neill, Peter Leondedis, and Carrie Lenahan who all deliver strong supporting roles to the title characters. The other actors remind us that we are, in fact, viewing community theatre. I was also impressed with the projections and video clips.

The night I attended the show, there were only a handful of audience members, which is a shame. Sometimes in snows in April, but "Frost/Nixon" at the Barn is sure to deliver chills and thrills. Once again, the Barn proves themselves as the preeminent community theatre for KC's theatre cognoscenti.

read the review at KC Stage