To Tell the Truth

The Whistleblower

James A. Garfield, the twentieth President of the United States, once said, “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.” In his new comedy, prolific playwright, Itamar Moses seems to have decided to take this idea and run with it. The Tony Award-winning book writer of the musical “The Band’s Visit” poses this query: What if you told everyone the whole truth about everyone and everything? What would their reactions be to your complete candor? And, as a result, how would your own life change? 

Theater Wit’s Midwest premiere of Moses’ scintillating  new play, skillfully directed with ardor and animation by Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler, is an enthralling production that evokes laughter and will spark hours of stimulating post-show conversation. Eli is writer for television. He’s come up with an interesting idea for a new series that he’s calling “The Whistleblower,” in which the main character exposes the truth about what’s really going on at his place of work. Eli and his agent Dan take a meeting with Richard, a powerful TV producer,  to pitch his idea. At first it doesn’t appear that Richard’s sold on the premise, but as Eli continues describing the plot of his proposed television series the Exec finds himself buying into it. At long last, it looks as if Eli has finally made it to the big time.

The problem is, in describing his story in detail, Eli has also sold himself on his premise. The promising young screenwriter ends the meeting by telling Richard, “Never mind. I don’t want to do this,” and he walks away from the deal, his job—in fact his entire life. “I think I’m just going to go,” he says, and he leaves Dan and Richard wondering what’s going on? But Eli has suddenly decided that, instead of selling his story about someone telling the truth, he’s going to actually live the story himself.

Thus begins Eli’s journey, attempting to come clean about the errors of his past and his real impressions of everyone in his life. Eli confronts his current girlfriend, his former girlfriend, his parents, his sister and everyone else he’s ever known. However, as the young man tries to cleanse all the untruths, he discovers that President Garfield may have been correct that, while telling the truth is freeing, it may also cause misery. Allison, his actress girlfriend, is baffled by Eli’s frankness. Joseph and Hannah, Eli’s overbearing parents think he’s suffering from manic depression. His older sister, Rebecca, his friend Jed and his pregnant wife Lisa, his girlfriend of thirteen years ago, Eleanor, an old buddy named Max and even Dan’s receptionist, Sophie, all blanch at Eli’s outspoken critiques. But Eli is convinced that hearing the truth will, in the long run, set everyone free.

Having been writing for television himself, since the pandemic shutdown most theatrical productions for a while, this is Mr. Moses’ first new play in a several years. His characters are sharp, insightful and precisely written with great care, especially Eli. The dialogue is biting, often unpredictable and filled with humor. Reminding me of B.J. Novak’s character of Ryan Howard on “The Office,” television actor Ben Faigus is outstanding as Eli. The actor’s innocent face and humble demeanor is on the button and integral to Eli’s open personality, especially while on his mission of truthfulness. It’s around this captivating character that the entire story revolves within the ninety minute production.

The supporting cast of actors are all fantastic. Most of them play more than one role, which is incredible. An actor familiar to theatergoers who watched “The Wire,” Michael Kostroff is brilliant, both as TV Executive Richard, but particularly as Joseph, Eli’s hilarious father. He’s paired with the remarkably verbose and funny RJW Mays, as Eli’s mother, Hannah. Her obsessive insistence to help everyone around her makes Ms. Mays an audience favorite. The incredibly gifted Rae Gray, who appeared at Theater Wit in Moses’ earlier play “Completeness,” plays three different roles here with absolute finesse. She’s winning as receptionist/assistant Sophie, slightly frightening as Rebecca, Eli’s meth-dealing sister, and filled with a quiet power as Eleanor, Eli’s former girlfriend.

As Eli’s potty-mouthed present girlfriend, Julia Alvarez is a stitch as Allison. By the end of the play we fully understand her attraction to Eli, as someone in the TV business who can help her career. As Lisa, Jed’s pregnant and surly wife, she holds back very little as she has no time for Eli and his truth telling. William Anthony Sebastian Rose II is strong as Dan, but he’s truly wonderful as Jed, the henpecked husband of Lisa. And completing the cast is talented Andrew Jessop, who also appeared in “Completeness.” As Max, this comical character, who’s indulged in every kind of drug and hallucinogenic know to man, is now a burned-out boat navigator. He’s an old friend of Eli’s who suffers from abrupt mood swings, which provides some unexpected tension during the eleventh hour of this play. But Mr. Jessop’s wide-eyed wonder and slow way of speaking is priceless.

One of the magical elements of this production, in addition to Jeffrey Levin’s expressive sound and musical composition, is Brian Redfern’s exquisite scenic design. What appears, at first, to be a simple play staged on a sparsely-appointed set, magically turns into a one-act that artfully adapts into any number of locales. All the scene changes happen right before our eyes, choreographed by Mr. Wechsler, and seamlessly executed by a terrific, agile cast. In his debut with Theater Wit, Mr. Redfern’s work is a highlight of this production.

Theater Wit has returned with a brilliant, hilarious and thought-provoking new play that really is a must-see for every smart theatergoer. It’s being given a polished, professional production that will have audiences laughing, cheering and talking for weeks to come. The show is performed with mirth and an unstoppable momentum that never once loses its steam, all the while challenging theatergoers with more questions than answers. This is, to tell the truth, what great theater is all about. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented by May 5-June 17 by Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to www.theaterwit.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.