Democracy

Opened: 18 Nov 2004
Starring: James Naughton (Willy Brandt), Richard Thomas (Gunter Guillaume), Robert Prosky (Herbert Wehner), Michael Cumpsty (Arno Kretschmann), Terry Beaver (Reinhard Wilke), John Dossett (Helmut Schmidt), Julian Gamble (Ulrich Bauhaus), John Christopher Jones (Hans-Dietrich Genscher) , Richard Masur (Horst Ehmke), Lee Wilkof (Gunter Nollau)
Director: Michael Blakemore
Synopsis: A tale of espionage, loyalty, unexpected betrayals and the paths we choose in life, 'Democracy' is set in West Germany in the late 1960's - a time of hope and unlimited possibilities. The play charts the astonishing career of Willy Brandt, in his brief but remarkable tenure as Germany's first liberal leader for nearly forty years. Always present but rarely noticed is G�nter Guillaume, Brandt's devoted personal assistant - and no less devoted in his other role as a double-agent, spying on Brandt for East Germany's infamous Ministry of State Security.

What the critics had to say.....

BEN BRANTLEY of the NEW YORK TIMES says �After many months of serving the theatrical equivalent of half-thawed TV dinners, Broadway has finally delivered a juicy gourmet's banquet of a play.� DAVID ROONEY of VARIETY says "It's never dull, just dramatically staid." ELYSA GARDNER of USA TODAY says "A tribute to Frayn's brisk eloquence and Michael Blakemore's potent direction of a first-rate cast." HOWARD KISSEL of NEW YORK DAILY NEWS "In a season mired in triviality, it is a bracing reminder of why we go to the theater." MICHAEL SOMMERS of STAR-LEDGER says "James Naughton generates little energy and less magnetism, creating a black hole at the show's center. " LINDA WINER of NEWSDAY says "A rich, gripping entertainment about much more than its daunting plot synopsis." JACQUES LE SOURD of JOURNAL NEWS says "A limp and generally boring pile of words, words, words." MICHAEL KUCHWARA of ASSOCIATED PRESS says "A thoughtful, intelligent, well-made play trapped here in a bland, personality-free production."

External links to full reviews from newspapers

New York Times
Variety
USA Today
New York Daily News
Newsday
Journal News
Associated Press