““Garside’s Career,” captivatingly written by Harold Brighouse, presented by the Mint Theater Company, and playing at Theatre Row on 42nd Street, is an engaging drama about a man’s aspirations to find respect, money, and prestige — and how having too much ambition can cause one to lose what they first fought so hard to achieve. Peter Garside, a working man, achieves his academic goals and becomes too full of himself, especially when his peers ask him to run for Parliament to represent the working man. Garside is drunk on his own ability to galvanize the mob and have them believe in him. He touts himself a man of the people, but he is a man for himself. Garside finds himself so entrenched in making money, and in having expensive things and prestige, that he turns his back on love, on the working men he is said to represent, and finds out that the higher you climb, the further you fall.
This production is absolutely wonderful. You watch as Garside starts off a humble man, and gets intoxicated by the power he experiences running for office and winning; and you watch his world crumble in front of him as he becomes more self absorbed and arrogant. It is interesting how he thinks he is fooling the working men that begged him to run and who got him into office, but he is only fooling himself. This play is about corruption, falling to the lowest point you can, and finding redemption. It is also about realizing who your friends truly are.
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The cast of this production is a marvelous example of non-traditional casting and it works beautifully. Brighouse’s words are poignant, straightforward, and cutting at times, but at other times are also filled with love, compassion, and empathy. This ensemble of actors does a stunning job at telling this story, and the chemistry between all the members of this company is electric. Daniel Marconi is stirring as Peter Garside, a man with enormous dreams and ambitions but no common sense. Amelia White is feisty and formidable as his mother who loves and believes in her son and will go after anyone who she feels doesn’t believe in him, even when it is his fiancée Margaret. Madeline Seidman is spirited and delightful as Margaret. While she loves Peter, she also knows his limitations and will not back down from sharing her thoughts. Melissa Maxwell is Lady Mottram, the mayor’s wife and part of the privileged class. This African American actress delivered the role beautifully, as did Sara Haider, who played her daughter Gladys. Haider was amusing, but also very perceptive of Peter’s true character. She becomes Peter’s love interest, but with her own agenda. Avery Whitted is delightful as her brother Freddie, a young gentleman who is happy not to work, but also has compassion for those less fortunate and will give a helping hand. Other cast members who brought this interesting story to life included Paul Niebanck as Ned Applegarth, Michael Schantz who plays Karl Marx Jones, and Erik Gratton who plays Denis O’Callaghan/Timson.
The production is powerfully directed by Matt Dickson. This production is definitely worth your time. It has a very appealing set by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, costumes by Kindall Almond, lights by Yiyan Li, and sound by Carsen Joenk. You will leave the theater feeling good! The show is only running through March 15. For tickets visit minttheater.org.