On a day when some 200,000 people gathered at our State Capitol to stand up for democracy, joined by millions more around the country, I saw a play about
Senator Margaret Chase Smith, one of the few Republicans who stood up to Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s.
Conscience, written in 2020 by Tony-winning playwright Joe DiPietro (for book and lyrics of the musical
Memphis), resonates deeply with today's world. It tells of a time when one personality has overtaken the Republican party, whipping up support amongst voters by preaching fear of outsiders, fellow politicians afraid to cross him because of the power he seemingly wields. Until one woman stands up on the Senate floor (the only woman on the Senate floor) to condemn his actions. It was a rough road, but eventually, this personality faded into disgrace and history as quickly as he rose. Yesterday's marches are incredibly inspiring, as is this story, providing hope that our collective conscience will win out against forces attempting to erode our democracy. And it's a beautifully told story, succinct and to the point in under two hours, with a fantastic four-person cast bringing these historical figures and their heroic (or not so heroic) actions to life.
Conscience, a last-minute season replacement in Theatre in the Round's 74th season,
runs through April 19 and couldn't have come at a better time.
