The title is a huge clue that Bill McMahon’s new play about Nancy Pelosi, The Adult in the Room, is not going to be a balanced political commentary. If you are a Trump supporter, be warned that he is cast as Voldemort to Pelosi’s Dumbledore. For anyone looking for a dissection of the venerable Speaker of House’s political history or an incisive examination of the dynamics of the office that she holds, this is not it. If you are looking for an entertaining hour or so with a political pioneer that gives a reverent overview of her entrance into politics and her evolving position, both ideologically and professionally, this is a very pleasant way to spend an evening. In the course of an online chat with the members of Running Start, a group of aspiring female politicians, Orlagh Cassidy’s unflappable Pelosi—elegant in a white pantsuit even when stress-eating chocolates or downing an emergency cold beverage—calms down her high-strung assistant who relays the latest tweets from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, schools members of the CPC “Squad” on the importance of procedure, and inspires her young online interlocuters, who lob softball questions for Pelosi to knock out of the park. As directed by Heather Arnson and Conor Bagley, Cassidy nails Pelosi’s sense of humor, her understanding of the performative aspects of politics (especially as a pioneering congresswoman), and her passion for and faith in the Constitution and the government it informs.

There is no denying that Bill McMahon has done his homework on Nancy Pelosi. The Adult in the Room is a concise and entertaining biography of the sometimes-polarizing politician, recounted in the historical moment before the House embarked on impeachment proceedings. His Pelosi covers a lot of ground in the brisk 70-minute run-time, beginning with her introduction to politics as child watching her father campaign for and win a series of elected offices, and watching her imposing mother organize his campaign staff and rally supporters. She discusses her Catholic faith, her rejection of her mother’s desire that she enter a convent, and how she reconciles the tenets of the Church with her liberal views, including her unflagging support of gay and reproductive rights. She outlines her own relatively late entrance into the political arena after raising five children, inspired by Sala Burton, whom Pelosi succeeded in the House of Representatives after her death in 1987. McMahon does an excellent job of showing how her early inspirations shaped her uncompromising ideals and progressive values. With a strong actor in the title role, which this production certainly has, McMahon’s play makes a strong argument for the continued importance and legacy of the 79-year-old Representative. However, what little dramatic tension is generated is promptly buried in chocolate, drowned in diet Dr. Pepper, postponed, or dropped in a system reboot. The Instagram device gives Nancy Pelosi a great reason for telling her life story and outlining her political philosophy, but the scrolling questions that don’t get answered give a hint of what is missing, an antagonist in the room. The apocalyptic vision of a divided America that prefaces the coda of the play does not serve to add tension, and also seems out of keeping with the optimistic, consensus-seeking Pelosi who has been mildly scolding the Squad and her online acolytes throughout the play, even when she resorts to naming her would-be nemesis. 

Directors Heather Arnson and Conor Bagley have created a sleek, streamlined look and feel for the event, which serves the play well. Ann Beyersdorfer’s set reflects the no-nonsense Pelosi and affords opportunities for perching and pacing as needed. David C. Woolard takes his inspiration from the white pantsuit that Pelosi wore to Trump’s inaugural address in a show of solidarity with suffrage campaigners from the past and current female Representatives, while a costume change for the final scene mirrors the Congresswoman’s articles of impeachment black. Jamie Roderick’s lighting design is unobtrusive but highlights important moments and allows Brian Pacelli’s media-savvy projections—often ironic chat-heads, emoticons and screen names, along with a nod to the Constitution—to take focus when they should. Christopher Kriz’s sound design complements the action of the play, with nods to the onstage references and electronic interruptions. It is Orlagh Cassidy’s portrayal that makes The Adult in the Room worth a visit. Cassidy fills every moment and knows how to allow both the comedy and the somber moments to come alive. Though she does not mimic Pelosi’s voice, her vocal cadences combined with her elegant, yet energetic, physicality and a weaponized smile make Pelosi a figure that we want to listen to. As a bonus, Cassidy also slips into spot-on imitations of the voices that inspired Pelosi, and, in one well-curated moment, Donald Trump. Approachable, empathetic and intimidating at once, Cassidy’s Pelosi embodies the qualities that have enabled her real-life counterpart to forge her remarkable career.

Bill McMahon’s The Adult in the Room is not going to rock the world, but it is an entertaining tribute to Nancy Pelosi and a reflection of the current political moment. Orlagh Cassidy embodies the Congresswoman with passion, dignity and humor under Heather Arnson and Conor Bagley’s stylish, brisk direction. Nancy Pelosi’s journey from political neophyte to House Majority Leader, all the while espousing causes from AIDS advocacy, gun control, and health care to varying degrees of success, is a worthy playbook for her would-be successors to study. Pelosi’s mantra in McMahon’s play is “organize, don’t agonize.” There is not much agonizing in the play, but this leaves room for a plea to make things better for the next generation—and for the next generation to take up the mantle of social justice.

The Adult in the Room is now playing at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater’s Richard Christiansen Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Avenue) through February 15. Performances take place Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. and 5p.m. Tickets to “The Adult in the Room” are priced at $49 and available through victorygardens.org or by calling the box office at 773-871-3000.For more information visit theadultintheroomplay.com