Staff Report
WMIBERLEY — The Wimberley Players will present, “The Outsider,” Paul Slade Smith’s fast-moving political comedy, April 24 through May 17 at the Wimberley Playhouse.
Directed by Whitney Marlett, the play centers on Ned Newley, a reluctant and deeply awkward politician who unexpectedly finds himself rising in the polls — largely because he lacks the ability to spin, posture or convincingly lie, according to a news release. As his accidental authenticity begins to resonate with voters, his campaign team, the press corps and the political establishment scramble to decide whether his honesty is a liability or the secret to his success.
The Outsider offers a timely, but good-natured satire of modern politics that focuses less on partisanship and more on the universal absurdities of public life.
Marlett says the show’s appeal comes from both its humor and its humanity
“At its heart, this play is about what happens when someone who never expected to be in the spotlight suddenly finds themselves there,” Marlett said. “It’s incredibly funny, but it also has a lot of heart. Audiences will recognize these characters — not just from politics, but from everyday life.”
The production features Joanna Gunaraj as Paige Caldwell, Samuel Ellisor as Dave Riley, Reji Smith as Louise Peakes, Greg Dew as Ned Newley, Robert Moritz as Arthur Vance, Allie Lawrence as Rachel Parsons and Carter Holland as A.C. Peterson.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at www.wimberleyplayers.org or by calling the box office at 512-847-0575.
For audiences ready for a break from the real-world news cycle, “The Outsider” offers an evening of sharp comedy, strong performances and the simple pleasure of watching a terrific ensemble bring a story to life.
“The Outsider” is presented by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
