The Best Man (Masterplots II: Drama, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Gore Vidal
- First Published: 1960
- Type of Plot: Political; melodrama
- Time of Work: Summer, 1960
- Setting: Two hotel suites in Philadelphia
- Principal Characters: William Russell, Alice Russell, Dick Jensen, Joseph Cantwell, Mabel Cantwell, Don Blades, Arthur Hockstader, Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge, Clyde Carlin, Dr. Artinian, Sheldon Marcus
- Genres: Drama, Melodrama, Political drama
- Subjects: Power, personal or social, Politics, Corruption, Morality or morals, Political conventions
- Locales: Philadelphia, PA
The Play
The Best Man is a behind-the-scenes examination of the political maneuverings at a national party convention, as three candidates vie for their party’s nomination. It is set entirely in two hotel suites, those of candidates Russell and Cantwell. The play’s seven scenes rotate between the two suites, which are differentiated visually by different campaign placards and props. As the curtain rises, candidate Russell, his wife, and Jensen, his campaign manager, are in the midst of a throng of reporters and photographers. Russell, a strong, youthful looking man...
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