"Frost/Nixon" opens Friday at Corn Stock Theatre

Given the complex and challenging task "Frost/Nixon" director Ryan Campen has undertaken, he's nothing if not adventurous.

The young Bradley University graduate previously directed the romantic comedy "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," for Peoria Players. It was his first stint as director.

Corn Stock Theatre's upcoming production of "Frost/Nixon" will be his second.

"Well, the first one was a rom-com," he said, laughing. "This is a little more of a challenge."

No kidding.

"Frost/Nixon" is Corn Stock Theatre's final offering of its successful 2012-2013 Winter Playhouse season. The play begins its two-weekend run on Friday.

Peter Morgan's Tony Award-winning play tells the story leading up to and including the famous interviews British journalist David Frost did with Richard Nixon in 1977, three years after the controversial president resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Actor Frank Langella won best actor Tony Award for his Broadway performance as Nixon and was nominated for a best actor Oscar for the movie by the same name. British actor Michael Sheen portrayed Frost.

Those are big shoes to fill. And Campen, 33, believes he's found the perfect actors to fill them.

"It's a psychological drama that really rises and falls on its cast," he said. "And we got lucky. Paul Gordon (who plays Richard Nixon) really nails it. In fact, this will be the role he will be known for the rest of his life. He's that good. Paul really captures the spirit and determination of Nixon, while bringing a bit of himself to the role as well."

Campen said Gordon had to shave his longtime facial hair for the role. "We did our first dress rehearsal and I was stunned. In full costume and make-up, Paul literally becomes Richard Nixon. It's really quite amazing."

Andrew Harrison plays Frost, the British journalist who scored the fascinating interviews that helped cement Nixon's reputation and character for a generation.

"The interplay between Paul and Andrew is wonderful," Campen said. "They play off of each other very well. The entire cast is incredibly strong. We had a number of quality auditions, so it made my job pretty easy."

The production will use live video as well as live acting, he said. "We'll be showing video throughout the play. For instance, it starts with the video of Nixon resigning. I think it works very well."

Campen said it was a real challenge to stage the play in such an intimate surrounding. "One minute, you're on a plane over the Atlantic. And the next, you're sitting in an office. It was interesting, but I think we pulled it off."

The production at Corn Stock Theatre's Winter Playhouse in upper Bradley Park will be Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 9 at 7:30; Sunday, March 10 at 2:30 p.m.; Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday March 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. They can be ordered by calling 676-2196.

Cast list: Richard Nixon (Paul Gordon), David Frost (Andrew T. Harrison), James Reston (Sean Howell), Jack Brennan (Tim Wyman), John Birt (Blake Stubbs), Bob Zelnick (Ryan Simpson), Caroline Cushing (Kerri Rae Hinman), Swifty Lazar (Michael Wohl), Manolo Sanchez (Jacob Coombs) and Evonne Goolagong (Krystal Uhl).

CAPTION: (Photo by Blake Stubbs) Paul Gordon portrays Richard Nixon, the only president who ever resigned from office, in the Corn Stock Theatre production of "Frost/Nixon," which opens Friday.

About the Author

Terry Towery is a novelist, political hack, former union boss and newspaper editor. He’s also a treasure hunter. He might also be a pirate. We’re not sure. But there are two things we are sure about: 1) he’s cynical in the most awesome way, and 2) he’s married to the cutest roller derby skater you’ll find anywhere.