If you like politics, you may like this two-play cycle about a Republican and a Democrat running for governor of California. Tthe acting is quite all right, if a bit preachy -- but then so is politics. Let's look at each play in Contental Divide.
"Mothers Against" is about the Republican candidate's preparations for the final debate prior to the November election. It deals with his personal choices versus saying what will win him the election. During a rehearsal for the debates, there are many large television sets, a couple of cameras, and a very convincing test of the candidate's abilities as a debater. His tree-hugging daughter reflects some of his youthful ideals, contrasting dynamically with the agenda of his political handlers. We learn in ponderous detail what it takes to win. The piece, in fact, could be considered an indictment of the political process, but the over written script is not saved by the dramatic acting.
"Daughters of the Revolution" has a bit more life with an interesting plot line. A community-college dean discovers an FBI report on his activities in the Sixties that could prohibit him from getting a job he desires. His interviews with the various others that were a party to the incident prove interesting. They include black activists, some current politicos, a writer, and a former lover.
Both plays use extensive special effects. There are between-scene projections in "Daughters" which add greatly to the mood. Sets are more suggestive than realistic and work well for the production. Costuming
contrasts the strictly formal political dress with the Sixties radical dress.
But director Tony Taccone stages with a heavy hand. Some of the movement seems designed more by the necessity to have some action rather than internal motivation. "Mothers Against" could have carried the contention and the principals' emotions easily in less than two hours rather than two hours and 45 minutes. "Daughters of the Revolution," with its motivated action would also probably play better at two hours.
It is not necessary to see both plays, by the way, as the two share much in common. (The whole cast of "Mothers Against" is in "Daughters.") If you decide to see just one, I'd recommend "Daughters," but, then, I don't recommend either. For the politically astute, the current run for the White House is much more dramatic.
