When governments present themselves as the pinnacle of purity in their governance of it’s citizenry, it is often the political cartoonist that splashes that 
governing authority with a biting bit of needed color to offer an often outwitted populace a viewpoint that counters the ruling party line.
Such is the case of one Bela Veracek; an idealist with a chip embedded in his shoulder that only purity of truth can dislodge and how his unyielding quest to spread said truth through the power of his pen brings him far more pain than pleasure. This is the foundation for an excellent tale (No End of Blame) chronicling the lifetime of an uncompromising artist’s efforts to enlighten while traversing the political landscape of eastern/western Europe during its most contentious periods.
Written by Howard Barker and directed by Richard Romagnoli, No End of Blame gave New Yorkers another theater going experience that challenges one to think beyond the bumper sticker, governmental themes that are pervasive in the current political discourse. Barker shows in his work, the more we the people, all people, make efforts to maintain a semblance of personal empowerment the more governments seeking increasing dominance will pushback for the so called good of the majority
Alex Draper (Veracek) credibly handled a difficult accent while establishing his believability as a young, nearly irresponsible, yet thoughtful protagonist transitioning into the older, wiser, beaten but not broken hero, offering hope to the hopeful.
For a highbrow piece of writing, this is a must see for the politically astute and politically challenged alike, as Mr. Barker’s story provides a clear historical pattern of how power behaves when unchecked and the negative impact unbridled power can have on ones presumed inalienable rights.
Barker’s character Veracek has the ability to express the will of the unwilling masses in ink while being the perennial pain in the ass to those who want little else than total control.
Without preaching, this is a work of conscience and thought provocation that can inspire debate and perhaps a willingness to resist the prescribed status quo.
In our view, this is a play to be seen by those of any political persuasion as the past lessons presented that should have been learned, clearly have not been so thus far. Those savvy enough to have viewed the recent CIA Family Jewels revelations and the Washington Post’s Angler series on Vice President Cheney will undoubtedly get the point.
Here is what you need to know:
The Place
Atlantic Stages 2
330 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
Opened Last Night
June 27, 2007
Closing
July 13, 2007
The Shows
Check with ticketing agent at the number below
The Price
$18
1-800-838-3006
Order tickets onlineWho’s Running the ShowThe Cast
Alex Draper, Christopher Duva, MacLeod Andrews, Bill Army, Megan Byrne, Alex Cranmer, Caitlin Dennis, Lucas Kavner, Jeanne LaSala, Julia Proctor, Peter Schmitz, Alec Strum, Sally Swallow
The Author
Howard Barker
The Director
Richard Romagnoli
