There is so much to appreciate about a show like American Classic; it consistently defies expectations by continually raising the bar.
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 6, I assumed that Richard telling Nadia the truth about her acting ability would trigger a cataclysmic Boyle-bomb. Instead, Nadia contributes a sincere gem to the Circle of Truth that lands her a role more suited to her lived experience.
I was waiting for the big confrontation between Kristen and Jon over his weekend in Atlantic City. Instead, it became a moment of brotherly support.
By taking the quiet, productive paths on those two conflicts, the show expertly highlights the main event — the town council vote on Boyle’s casino complex.
It’s a whole town version of the play’s Circle of Truth. Honest apprehension and sincere hopes come to the podium.
Mr. Pat Paterson, still adjusting to his sudden play-induced bachelorhood, speaks to the need for change. That’s pretty ironic considering it was his desire for routine and predictability that drove Mrs. Pat Paterson into Heath’s alcove studio.
Miranda takes the mic and speaks eloquently to the town’s need to retain its soul.
“The bottom line is this: Casinos kill communities. No amount of tax revenue is going to bring back the soul of this town once it’s gone, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen if we move forward with this project.” — Miranda Bean
With Jon casting the deciding vote, it really comes down to how he feels about his soul. Losing Miranda’s college fund in Atlantic City was his rock bottom. Voting for the casino would cost him her faith in him.
The theatricality of the town hall scene’s blocking epitomizes elegance. With the room divided down pro- and anti-casino lines, Richard stands at the back, on the center line, while everyone speaks their piece.
When he steps to the podium, he begins with a parable, inspired by Jon’s secret, thus speaking directly to his brother’s vote as well.
Richard Bean Always Has a Plan on American Classic
Only when he’s established which camp he sides with does he take the conveniently empty seat directly behind Miranda on the anti-casino side.
You can argue that Richard Bean is all about the moment, with little concern for consequences, but his time in Millersburg has awakened a dormant sense of heart and hearth.
Connor Boyle is a sensitive soul with big dreams. The sensitivity doesn’t extend far beyond himself and his interests, and the dreams exclude most other people, but there’s no lie in the statement.
For those keeping score at home, he currently holds significant leverage over three of the four adult Boyles. Linus’s advanced age and dementia put him beyond Connor’s reach.
But Miranda’s the fly in his ointment. Everything about her pokes at his insecurity: she’s confident, charismatic, and utterly uncharmed by his blarney.
And while he wants Nadia happy, he’s not above pulling the financial threads holding Richard’s production together.
Casting Nadia as Grover’s Corners’ “outsider on the inside” character, Simon Stimson, is a strong pivot. Stimson is the misfit in Thornton Wilder’s idyllic town. He’s troubled and isolated, someone people talk about rather than speak with.
I misjudged Nadia. That was a deliberate deception on the part of the show. We were supposed to write her off as a shallow, starry-eyed, spotlight-craving caricature of a theater groupie. She, like Stimson, lives on the fringes of Millersburg society.
“What is real is that we are all made of the sadness, and that is what life is. So what if I live alone in basement of Novosibirsk for three years? So what if there is no mother? So what if my only joy is to be watching Richard Bean in Hoist on 13-inch television set? We all have the problems! Being a person, that’s a hard thing. So we stop crying about it. We make some art. This is a play about these happy Americans. I am not this happy American. I’m only me. I’m only… ME.” — Nadia
I even theorized that she was the daughter of a Russian mobster after the protest on American Classic Season 1 Episode 4. Someone raised in luxury and entitlement.
She has some deep, dark depths developed over years of Siberian basement dwelling, alone and depressed. That Richard Bean television shows were her only joy really hits hard in an indefinable way and explains her infatuation with him.
In a production built on actors playing characters who reflect their own lives, Nadia has nothing in common with Mrs. Gibbs. But with Stimson, she shares an outsider’s perspective, an anger, and a desperation.
Will the Show Go On?
Stupid question, forgive me. Obviously, it will. However, there are the expected hurdles to clear.
Nadia may be able to convince Boyle to retract his threats to pull his funding for the show, but he’s going to make the Beans pay for crushing his casino plans.
Not to toot my own horn, but I did predict Richard would take over the Stage Manager role when he first cast Linus. To be fair, it wasn’t a wild leap.
No matter what his motivations are at this point, a Richard Bean production was always going to star Richard Bean.
And while getting Kristen up on stage with him was also a sure bet, I hadn’t considered Jon treading the boards with her and Miranda.
What do you think it will take to make Kristen change her mind? Will Boyle twist her financial arm to assure Nadia’s show has a complete cast? When will Jon’s truth come out? Can Richard keep his rain?
TV Fanatic runs on caffeine, cats, and your support.
Comment if you’re still watching. Share if you want others to know this show even exists. We appreciate you either way — truly.
-
American Classic Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Theater Games
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 5, Jon takes a secret trip, rehearsals begin, and Richard gets honest with Nadia. Read our review!
-
American Classic Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Real People Who Are Real People
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 4, “Big Spender,” Boyle and Kristen plan a casino night to garner the town’s good will. Read our review!
-
American Classic Season 1 Episode 3 Review: The Impossible Dream
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 3, Richard’s play plans reveal Kristen’s secrets. Meanwhile, Beans unite! We review the dream they share.
The post American Classic Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Delivery is Everything appeared first on TV Fanatic.