Nixon’s famous undoing plays out onstage

Frost/Nixon Benedum Center Nov. 2 to 7 Tickets: $23.50-54.50 ‘ ‘ ‘ Regardless of the opinions… Frost/Nixon Benedum Center Nov. 2 to 7 Tickets: $23.50-54.50 ‘ ‘ ‘ Regardless of the opinions of former president Richard Nixon, there is no denying that he is a fascinating figure. As a main player in one of the most controversial and infamous political scandals in U.S. history, it’s only natural that his endeavors make for provocative and interesting pieces of entertainment. ‘ ‘ ‘ That is exactly what ‘Frost/Nixon,’ a Tony award-winning play by Peter Morgan, is betting on as it takes the stage at the Benedum Center for a limited engagement. ‘ ‘ ‘ As evidenced by the title, the play’s action surrounds the series of televised interviews Nixon granted journalist David Frost in 1977, which resulted in Nixon’s admittance of his major role in the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation. ‘ ‘ ‘ While it focuses on the interviews, the secondary characters of the Frost/Nixon confrontation are given ample illumination as well, as they all played roles in what is now regarded as one of the most famous interviews ever. ‘ ‘ ‘ Though it seems to be something you are more apt to read in a history book, the play promises an intense acting showdown between actors Stacy Keach and Alan Cox, who play Nixon and Frost, respectively. ‘ ‘ ‘ Associate director Seth Sklar-Heyn gave insight on what it’s like to prepare for such a historically rich work. He said transcripts of the interviews were available to the cast, but were not mandatory reading. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘As we see it, our chief responsibility is to stay true to Peter Morgan’s script, not to the historical events that informed it,’ he said in an e-mail sent by his publicist. ‘ ‘ ‘ Sklar-Heyn also emphasized that the audience should not expect impersonations of Frost and Nixon, as well as the other real-life characters. The audience will instantly recognize the characters through certain postures and inflections, he said, but eventually the actors begin to introduce their own interpretations of the roles based on their personal experiences. ‘ ‘ ‘ For people worried that the play might not hold their interest, Sklar-Heyn assures that it will captivate the audience. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘If the entire play consisted of only the interview scenes, the evening might well fall static,’ he said. ‘However, it’s the way that these sequences contrast with the rest of the action that makes them suspenseful.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ The 36 television monitors, which hang above the set and project the on-stage action, also provide a fascinating visual and serve as insurance that the audience will never be bored. ‘ ‘ ‘ Keach is a well-regarded actor who is most recognizable for his roles in films such as ‘W.,’ ‘American History X’ and on the television show ‘Prison Break.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ The play could not arrive in Pittsburgh at a better time, as the film adaptation will be released in December, featuring the two original Broadway stars, Frank Langella and Martin Sheen. The film is already generating a healthy amount of awards-season buzz. ‘ ‘ ‘ Morgan is most widely known for his award-winning scripts for ‘The Queen’ and ‘The Last King of Scotland.’ He also wrote the script for the film adaptation of ‘Frost/Nixon.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Nominated for the Best Play Tony Award and winner of Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Frank Langella), the play has received wide critical acclaim, and is making its Pittsburgh debut from Dec. 2-7 as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway Across America series. Tickets are also available through Pitt Arts.