The Leather Apron Group

Charlie Mount's extraordinary political drama, "The Leather Apron Club," has been brought back for another ten performances and you will be very pleased that the producers at Theatre West did so. With an amazing cast (headlined with a courageous performance by Adam Conger), Mount, who directed his own play, not generally a good idea, pulled off a grand coup on Jeff G. Rack's fine old-money Virginia home, wide, comfortable and roomy.

Taking one of the more pervasive conspiracy theories out there in kooky Internetland, his tale concerns an ongoing political group, originally founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1727, The Junto (also known informally as The Leather Apron Club, due to the working-class members of the original) is, indeed, the brains behind the United States government. They "guide" officials, whether they be mayors, governors, congressfolk or even the President of the USA, to the ways of peace, even if, contradictorily, it means wars or assassinations.

The original Leather Apron Group's raison d'�tre was to discuss and debate ideas behind morality, politics, business practices and religion; they even began the first public library in Philadelphia, among other charities.

So this theme makes Mount's play a taut drama, even as logic is bent way beyond belief: any group of people keeping themselves out of sight for 250 years??? No way! But Mount's charm is to make us believe these folk are for real: they're older, disagree on many issues, dislike each other, even, but make things happen anyway -- for better and for worse.

The action takes place two months after 9/11 and as revenge for this dastardly deed, their decision is to have the U.S. invade.... Saudi Arabia, for their exporting of Wahaddism, their ultra-conservative brand of Islam. But their newest member, mid-30s James Avery (Conger), average looks and body but with a brilliant mind, is not convinced that this Junto (pronounced with a "J" as its Spanish-origin was influenced by Latin, not Arabic, in spite of the Spanish soft "h") is right for America, so he fights for an Iraq invasion, instead.

The political thinking behind the play is spot-on and Mount makes great sense with his script. The various elders in the Junto, a disparate group, are well-delineated by his cast: supporting Conger well are Roger Kent Cruz, Yancey Dunham, Don Moss, Alan Schack, and sexy Ashley Taylor as the visible leader, albeit under the thumb of right-wing Senator Green (a ruthless Karen Ragan-George).

There are certainly coincidences in their time to our flash-forward fifteen years: bullying, naked aggression, debates which dissolve into violence, and so forth. A play for our times, no doubt. And even though Mount is careful not to politically label his characters, it's easy enough to read into them from our own political biases. It's an exciting play which definitely deserves future lives around the country both before and after this political cycle. Go see it!

"The Leather Apron Club" plays through July 30 at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles 90068. For information or tickets, call 323-851-7977 or visit www.theatrewest.org.