Fringe Fest: Hillary Agonistes
Shes traveled a long way from being a sitcom siren. Priscilla Barnes, the last of the blond actresses to follow in Suzanne Somers footsteps in Threes Company, has a new, tough gig. Shes starring as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the [NY Fringe Fest] production, [Hillary Agonistes](http://hillaryagonistes.com/). Only Clintons no Senator in this one. Shes President of the U.S. and shes facing a Rapture-like crisis. There are millions of people who have just disappeared from the planet, including none other than Bill Clinton. At least Chelsea is still around, but in this play shes a Muslim convert, peace activist and not always so supportive of her mom.
It sounds like a mess, and sometimes it is, but Hillary Agonistes by Nick Salamonewho was smart enough to write several good cameo roles for himselfis also an example of that rare breed of political theater. Its up-to-the-minute about the national and international mood, the threat of terrorism and how its interpreted from everyone from Rev. Pat Robertson to scientist Stephen Hawking.
In the middle of all this is Barnes, who could be spotted before a performance last week on a very hot Delancey Street, carrying what looked like it might be her own costume. Give Barnes credit for bravery. She dares to take to the stage in what a press release calls part Greek tragedy, part blackest comedy. Instead of living off sitcom residuals, shes sweating for her art on Suffolk Street. And shes playing Hillary Clintona role so tough that Hillary Clinton is not always believable in it.
8/19 @ 7pm 8/22 @ 4pm 8/23 @ 3PM
([CSV Cultural Center], 107 Suffolk St., betw. Rivington & Delancey Sts.)
Photo by Ed Krieger