Review: In 'Kings,' the Real Power Is Held by Lobbyists

In the play "Kings" at the Public Theater, Sydney Millsap is a new Congresswoman from Dallas, and she's determined to be different. Played by powerhouse Eisa Davis, she's everything Americans want their representatives to be — a no-nonsense policy wonk who puts the concerns of the people first. She doesn't want money from special interests if she has to do favors in return.

But that's not how the system works, and two lobbyists — and an almost-corrupt Senator — are there to school her. If she wants to be re-elected, she needs to take their money. And that means voting their way.

Davis is fantastic as a strong-minded, legislative novice who (almost) never trades on her status as a war widow. And Zach Grenier is shady-sleek as the glad-handing senior Senator who knows how the game is played. But as directed by Thomas Kail of "Hamilton," "Kings" itself is not captivating. Who are we rooting for here? The new legislator is incorruptible and so never faces any hard moral choices; the lobbyists and the senator are already corrupted, so they're in the same boat. One of the lobbyists, Kate (Gillian Jacobs), does occasionally seem to have a couple eyebrow-wrinkling concerns — she likes the Congresswoman, and tries to convince her to play along — but whether she reforms at the end is up for debate. 

Playwright Sarah Burgess earlier took on corruption in high finance with "Dry Powder," also staged at the Public Theater. It was also directed by Kail, and like that show, this one is all glossy dialogue and little heart. It's not helped by a stuttering momentum made worse by frequent, long blackouts.

That's too bad, because the inner world of Washington D.C. lobbyists is a compelling idea. Even better: Three of the four characters are women. Two are lesbians. It is refreshing to see a world where women are tussling over real issues in a workplace that's not a women's magazine or other female-centered space. Despite the title, in "Kings," it's women who hold the real power.

Kings

By Sarah Burgess, directed by Thomas Kail

At the Public Theater through April 1.