This Tony Award winning play examines the two front runners for their party's presidential nomination. Ex-Secretary of State William Russell is a wit and a scholar with high principles but no integrity in the bedroom. Joseph Cantwell is a ruthless and hard-driving young man, a dirty fighter who will let no scruples stand in the way of his ambitions. Both vie for the support of ex-President Art Hockstader, a man who loves politics for its own sake, admires a rough-and-tumble battle more than a chivalrous one, and is determined to have the final say in selecting his party's candidate.
"Vidal's story is...suspenseful, funny...fresh!" — Associated Press.
“Modern political junkies and anyone craving a fix of old-time theater thrills should find it hard to resist “Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man.” ~ Newday.
The Best Man opened on Broadway in 1960 and was nominated for six Tony Awards. A revival opened on Broadway in September 2000 and again later in 2012. The 2012 revival closed in September 2012 and was nominated for two 2012 Tony Awards.
Directed by Camelot’s Production Manager and Resident Artist Roy Von Rains, Jr., Camelot’s production of “The Best Man” stars Don Matthews as William Russell, Renee’ Hewitt as Alice Russell, David Dials as Joe Cantwell, Presila Quinby as Mable Cantwell, Shirley Patton as Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge and Grant Shepard as Art Hockstader.
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Biographies
Roy Von Rains, Jr. ~ Production Manager/Set Design/Director
Roy’s past roles include Cazzie in King of City Island, Willie Stark in All The Kings Men, John Birt in Frost/ Nixon, Gideon in Gideon, Sgt. Toomey in Biloxi Blues, Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace, Gary Lefkowitz in I Hate Hamlet and Lt. Sam Weinberg in A Few Good Men. Film credits include The Tuskegee Airmen and Tushka and The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy.
Don Matthews ~ Secretary William Russell
Don is currently the morning classical music host at Jefferson Public Radio, Don has appeared as Emile de Becque in South Pacific with Rogue Music Theatre, El Gallo in The Fantasticks with Oregon Stage Works, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd and most recently as John Dickinson in 1776 with the Camelot Theatre.
Renée Hewitt ~ Alice Russell
Renée is excited for her debut in the new Camelot Theatre. She was last seen as Meg in Crimes of the Heart. Other Camelot performances include Fiona in Brigadoon, Annie in The Miracle Worker and Guinevere in Camelot. Renée portrayed Rona Lisa Piretti at The Oregon Cabaret in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Renée also does commercial voiceover work.
David Dials ~ Senator Joseph Cantwell
David has a BA in Theatre form Humboldt State. A retired teacher he has acted in many local productions including Measure for Measure, Glengarry Glen Ross, Hot L Baltimore, Taking Sides, Wait Until Dark, The Heidi Chronicles, The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, Bus Stop and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Presila Quinby ~ Mabel Cantwell
Presila has been seen at Camelot in 1776, Spotlight on Mary Martin, Steel Magnolias, Dancing at Lughnasa, Sockdology, Inherit the Wind, I Remember Mama, Always… Patsy Cline, Crimes of the Heart and Sweeney Todd. She's appeared on Broadway, regional theater productions across the country and at the Cabaret Theater and ACT in Ashland. She is the wife of Bil Leonhart, the fabulous jazz musician.
Shirley Patton ~ Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge
Shirley was for 30 seasons a member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival acting company playing a wide variety of roles. She has also enjoyed performing at Southern Oregon University as a guest artist and at Actors’ Theatre, Oregon Stage Works and Camelot Theatre. Recent Camelot shows include Zorba, Spitfire Grill, Grapes of Wrath, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and Spotlight on the USO.
Grant Shepard ~ Ex-President Arthur Hockstader
A former professor of English and Theater Arts, Grant has since retirement been active in community theaters in Ventura County, California and in the Rogue Valley. He was recently seen at Camelot Theatre in 1776, Shenandoah, Gigi, A Few Good Men, Funny Girl, Camelot and many others.
This Tony Award winning play examines the two front runners for their party's presidential nomination. Ex-Secretary of State William Russell is a wit and a scholar with high principles but no integrity in the bedroom. Joseph Cantwell is a ruthless and hard-driving young man, a dirty fighter who will let no scruples stand in the way of his ambitions. Both vie for the support of ex-President Art Hockstader, a man who loves politics for its own sake, admires a rough-and-tumble battle more than a chivalrous one, and is determined to have the final say in selecting his party's candidate.