FINKS by Carol Kaufman Segal

            McCarthyism was a sorry time in American History that occurred in the 1950’s when hundreds of Americans were accused of being communists or communist sympathizers.  They were called before panels who subjected them to aggressive investigations, many of them were from the entertainment industry. 

            When members of the film industry were called upon and questioned, they were asked to name names.  Some chose to cooperate with the committee, some felt forced to do so, and gave names of friends, colleagues, and cohorts. Those who did were considered “finks” while there were members who refused to answer any of the questions by the committee, even though they knew they would suffer the consequences.  Unfortunately, during this time in our history, those who refused to cooperate were “blacklisted” and lost their careers.  Many suffered ill health, and some did not live to see their situations exonerated.      

            The play Finks¸ written by Joe Gifford and directed by Michael Pressman is about some who “fink” and more importantly, some don’t. (Both Gifford’s and Pressman’s parents were blacklisted.)   Mickey (Dobbs (French Stewart) is an up-and-coming comedian.  He meets Natalie Meltzer (Vanessa Claire Stewart), an actress who belongs to an actors’ political organization. Though Mickey has never been involved or interested in politics, he is interested in Natalie and is coerced into joining her at the meetings.

            Eventually Mickey and Natalie marry and have a baby.  Mickey’s career is going along extremely well and he is finally about to be offered his own television show.  At the same time, their cohorts are being called up before the House Un-American Committee.  They discuss their concerns, knowing if or when they are called, and if they refuse to co-operate with the interrogations, their livelihoods will undoubtedly suffer.  Eventually the summons arrives and each are left to make a decision.

            Serious, yes, but there is much more to Finks due to a well-written script and actors who add so much more to the play.  As a working comedian, French Stewart can be funny, and he and his real-life wife, Vanessa, work so beautifully together.  Both are extremely fine actors as are the rest of the entire cast.  They are Stephen Tyler Howe, Richard Levinson, Matt Gottlieb, Bruce Nozick, Daniel Dorr, Thomas Fiscella, and Adam Lebowitz-Lockard, some who perform multiple characters. 

            Finks is a production of the Rogue Machine Theatre playing Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM, and Sundays at 7 PM, through December 30, at the Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice.  For further information call (855) 585-5185, or go online at roguemachinetheatre.com.

            

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