There’s a special place in my heart for each and every theater on the Seacoast, but I have to say, it’s always pleasing to head down to 959 Islington St. in Portsmouth and check out the New Hampshire Theatre Project at West End Studio Theatre. You know that whatever you get will either be gut-wrenchingly fearless, completely original, a fresh take on an old tale or all three.

With that in mind, let’s talk about ‘The Primary Primary!’ by Robert John Ford.
Mavis McCormick (Kate Kirkwood) owns a diner where several of the locals gather to discuss their lots in life. As New Hampshire residents, they have front row seats when presidential candidates start crawling out of the woodwork to beg for votes, offering promises rarely kept.

The leader of the diner pack is Eldon Wise (Peter Motson). After hearing how extreme the primary race gets in New Hampshire (“Anything for a Vote”), a New York reporter (Brian Gregg) decides to follow Wise around for six months and get the skinny on how this man, who represents the state, which represents the nation, comes to cast his ballot. Wise agrees, even offering his family (Kathy Sommsich, Jessica Noone and Robin Fowler as wife, daughter and son, respectively) in the deal. After all, they always agree on everything.

There are initially four candidates, all played as convivial stereotypes. There’s the family man, Harrison Tate (Rob Becker) and his smokin’ campaign manager (Meghann Beauchamp). Bible thumping Reverend Stanley Jensen (Thomas Olson) is a carbon copy of Jerry Falwell. His CM (Genevieve Aichele) zestfully channels Miss Jane of The Beverly Hillbillies. Then there’s 46-year-old “single-by-choice” Islamic woman Nora Halliday (Kristan Raymond Robinson), whose CM (the lovely Liz Krane, who, though subtle, packs a serious punch) tries to keep her past in the past. There’s also the Jewish African American homosexual candidate, Benjamin Goldman (the divine Kennedy Pugh). And, at the last minute, the Alaskan governor (Alan Huisman) throws his hat into the ring, but in a surprisingly different way from his colleagues.

It’s decided that the Wise family will announce “their” preferred candidate at a quiet, home-cooked holiday dinner—but after each of the four candidates snags an invite, CNN quickly snags exclusive broadcasting rights.

It pretty much goes downhill from there.

There is no greater humor than humor based in truth, which is what makes this musical comedy so hilarious. My favorite number, “The Tough Question Sidestep,” should seriously be released by a major label—it puts Denis Leary’s “I’m an Asshole” to shame—along with “Get off Your Sorry Ass and Vote,” the show’s closing number.

Director Blair Hundertmark did some fancy footwork of his own. As we saw in last year’s “Odyssey,” there is no risk this man won’t take. He utilizes a complex set (courtesy of Meghann Beachamp, pulling double-duty) that could be transformed by the cast in record time while remaining in character (you’ll find no darkened stage and scurrying running crews in a Hundertmark production). He’s also added some technological tricks, which add an amazing sense of realism to the piece. He trusts his cast to sell the story—so much so that he’s placed extensively trained singers and dancers next to those fresh out of the box, and you can’t tell one from the other because you’re too busy watching the tale. Hundertmark doesn’t so much realize a vision as create a happening that we’re all involved in.

In an ensemble cast this big, naming standouts is tough. But, to name a few, the sassy Kate Kirkwood is teriffic as the diner owner, and Kennedy Pugh has electric charisma that explodes in all directions as Benjamin Goldman. All the campaign managers, in their subtle, yet crucial roles, took a handful of lines and made entirely believable characters. Peter Motson, as Mr. Wise, did his usual trick of not so much performing as becoming the character—I didn’t catch him acting once. He believes what he’s doing, and so do we. 

“The Primary Primary!” is scheduled to run through Jan. 20, but dates are being added to accommodate ticket sales. NHTP is located at 959 Islington St., Portsmouth. Call 603-431-6644 for reservations.