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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Looking Over the President's Shoulder Also see Gil's reviews of Little Shop of Horrors, Titanic, Deceived and Singin' in the Rain
Fields was an African American man from Indiana who dreamed of becoming an opera singer but instead found himself serving as a butler in the White House during one of the most transformative periods in American history. Through Fields' eyes, the audience experiences over twenty years of life inside the Executive Mansion as he serves four presidents: Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. During his years of service, from 1931-1953, Fields witnessed both the private and public moments that shaped the nation. Stills includes many personal and revealing moments Fields experienced with the presidents in the play, especially his warm and respectful connection with Harry Truman, as well as a few humorous encounters with well-known visitors to the White House such as Winston Churchill and Errol Flynn. It also touches on the realities of racial inequality in America during that era, showing how each president and first family's personality and social customs shaped not only the tone of official events and dinners but also the way the household staff was viewed and treated. The play unfolds as a series of personal recollections and vivid anecdotes, blending humor, pride, and quiet sorrow as Fields comes to terms with the sacrifices he made and the historical moments he witnessed. However, the play leaves several aspects of his personal life unresolved. We learn that his wife was hospitalized in Boston during some of the time he was at the White House, yet the play never explains what became of her or their daughter, creating a lingering sense of incompleteness. Also, since Fields is portrayed primarily as a quiet observer of history rather than an emotionally open individual, which is reflective of the restraint required of him in his role, it keeps the audience at a distance from his inner world. A clearer exploration of his family life and emotional sacrifices would have added depth and made his story even more effective. Kelcey Watson provides a compelling and empathetic portrayal as Fields. His performance captures both the professionalism and the quiet frustration of a man who devoted his life to a position of dignity within a system that often denied him equality. Watson's warmth, humor, and gravitas keep the audience engaged even when the script meanders; his portrayal is quite effective in depicting the emotional cost of being both a trusted insider and a Black man in segregated America. Chanel Bragg's direction brings variety to what could easily have been a static, one-man play. Though the action is confined to a single setting, Bragg's staging makes effective use of movement and levels to create visual interest. However, the decision to use a large number of props, ranging from serving trays and glasses to a radio and suitcase, occasionally detracts from the narrative. While these elements add realism and a sense of time and place, they also risk cluttering the action and pulling focus away from the emotional depth of Fields' story. Visually, the production is handsome. Douglas Clarke's elegant set uses bright, white wood paneling to suggest the grandeur of the White House. Having the windows of the set also display historic photographs and archival video clips of the presidents Fields served and major world events of the time provides important context. These touches give the production a cinematic quality and help break up the monologue-driven structure, while Nathaniel White's lighting design beautifully evokes the reflective moments in Field's past. Despite its structural flaws, with a nuanced portrayal from Watson, Looking Over the President's Shoulder at Phoenix Theatre still manages to succeed as a thoughtful character study and a respectful tribute to an extraordinary man who witnessed history from behind the scenes. Looking Over the President's Shoulder runs through December 14, 2025, at The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N Central Avenue, Phoenix AZ. For tickets and information, please visit phoenixtheatre.com or call 602-254-2151. Director: Chanel Bragg Cast: *Members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors & stage managers in the U.S. |
