by Macey Levin
Dwight David Eisenhower has a special place in the history of the United States of America. He was the commander-in-chief of the Allied armies in Europe during World War Two and one of the architects of D-Day. He also reluctantly became the thirty-fourth president of our country. Richard Helleson’s one-man play Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground is at Barrington Stage Company for a one-week run where John Rubenstein delivers a robust and nuanced performance as “Ike.”
He is discovered at his home, a farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in August 1962 having completed his second-term presidency the previous January. Perusing a magazine while talking on the phone with his autobiography collaborator who wrote an article that lists the American Presidents in terms of effectiveness according to seventy-five historians. He is twenty-second out of thirty-one and is incensed when he views some of these listed before him. He also quotes: “Madison, Grant, Eisenhower were great Americans, not great presidents.” After he finishes the conversation he continues to fume on a recording machine as he defends his presidency and explains his life’s choices.
Born in Texas as one of seven brothers who were raised in Abilene, Kansas, he talks about a cherished youth and his time at West Point. As he recalls his careers he intersperses it with personal remembrances of his parents and siblings, his love for his wife Mamie, the death of their three-year-old son Doud, nicknamed Icky, from scarlet fever, and the pride he has for his son John.
The most powerful part of the play is when he comments on the War, his political career and his presidency. This is where “This piece of ground” comes in… Ike’s use of the phrase, which he refers to several times, means “America.” His love for the country is paramount in all his actions and beliefs. He is critical of those who undermine the basic tenets of the Constitution, i.e. Senator Joseph McCarthy and those who put their personal needs above the country’s; i.e. Senator Robert Taft and General Douglas MacArthur. As he rails about these men and others, his exhortations are compelling. Democracy can be undermined by those who don’t follow the laws which will culminate in fascism. There are several other comments that reflect America’s current political conditions.
Rubenstein, who bears a resemblance to Ike, is on stage for almost two hours. From the first moment of his appearance he captures our attention. He effectively utilizes a broad range of emotions from light-heartedness to anger, introspection and sorrow. There are times when he is robust and forceful as he tells us his story or contemplative as he refers to more somber moments such as visits to concentration camps. This is a performance to be cherished.
Peter Ellenstein’s direction is flawless. The piece is impeccably textured. The transitions in mood are smooth and keep the play moving at an absorbing tempo.
Upstage of the set is a huge screen that initially shows an image of the farm. As he refers to other locations or people… such as West Point, his birth family, Mamie… the pictures change. The projections and sound design of Jim Hippert provide depth and emotions to Ike’s story. Michael Deegan’s set conveys the feel of a farmhouse as his lighting sets the various moods. Ike’s costume designed by Sarah G. Conly appears to be comfortably lived-in and suggests the changes he has experienced since he left public life.
We have the opportunity to learn so much about Dwight David Eisenhower and ourselves thanks to this enthralling production.
Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground by Richard Helleson; Director: Peter Ellenstein; Cast: John Rubenstein; Michael Deegan (Scenic and lighting designer); Jim Hippert (Projection and sound designer); Sarah G. Conly (Costume consultant)
Barrington Stage Company presents the New Los Angeles Repertory Company production of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, starring John Rubinstein as Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a strictly limited run of seven performances from June 3-8 at the Boyd-Quinson Stage (30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA). Running time: 2 hours, one intermission; For tickets: barringtonstageco. org