Since regional theaters generally choose their plays more than a year in advance, its rare to find so much topicality so close to Election Day. But Intiman surely knew that the fall of 2008 was going to be all about politics, so having All the Kings Men conclude its five-year American Cycle is as timely as one could hope for. (In our current economic times, slogans like Soak the rich and A chicken in every pot, and a car in every garage sound attractive all over again.) Robert Penn Warrens sprawling 1946 novel about a Southern lawyers rise from obscurity to governorship was inspired by the outsized life of populist Louisiana politician Huey Kingfish Long, but Warrens Willie Stark is a more subtle creation than you might think: a man who learns to deftly trade his ideals for power. This 1987 adaptation by Adrian Hall uses 16 actors in multiple roles, with former Seattleite (though we still love him) John Procaccino as Stark. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, the show also features live musicians performing songs by Randy Newman (whose 1974 album Rednecks includes a performance of Longs campaign song, Every Man a King). [See Kevin Phinney’s review here.] Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St., 269-1900, www.intiman.org. $10$50. Previews Sept. 26-Oct. 2, opens Oct. 3. Mostly 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; see Web site for exact schedule. Ends Nov. 8. JOHN LONGENBAUGH
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Oct. 3. Continues through Nov. 8, 2008
