And but in “Good Evening, and Good Luck” — the title is taken from Murrow’s sign-off — Murrow comes off as a mannequin of efficient restraint, simply threading the needle of a debate that continues in the present day. Although the Air Power’s case towards the reservist sounds trumped up, Murrow merely says, “We have no idea.” (The person was reinstated a month after the episode.) The principle broadside towards McCarthy, aired on March 9, 1954, consists virtually totally of the senator’s personal phrases from recordings and transcripts of speeches and congressional hearings. Even so, “See It Now” provides him a whole episode to reply, throughout which he falsely asserts that Murrow has been on the Soviet payroll for many years. Murrow’s follow-up, every week later, is a traditional just-the-facts takedown.
In fact, as we all know, McCarthy bought what he deserved: He was censured by the Senate that December, changing into a pariah and dying in workplace. Murrow bought what he deserved, too: secular sainthood.
However I discussed martyrs, and there’s one within the play: Don Hollenbeck, a CBS colleague hounded mercilessly by McCarthy surrogates. Whether or not his destiny was tied to that hounding — properly, to cite Murrow, we have no idea. However the play makes the case, in the best way performs do, by giving a superb actor (Clark Gregg) huge feelings to play.
I want “Good Evening, and Good Luck” had been extra typically so subjective. As an alternative, influenced by Murrow’s instance, it retains issues largely cool and concrete. (McCarthy just isn’t performed by an actor however by himself on tape, leaving no room for editorializing.) Most likely this was smart; when the present abruptly will get scorching on the finish, with a montage of tv information for the reason that Fifties, it feels overheated. Preachers preaching to the transformed normally do.
But preaching to the transformed could be a good function for theater. So is rousing the demoralized with the instance of heroes who’ve prevailed. Clooney’s refusal to grandstand as an actor permits his Murrow to keep up his halo. This stuff had been doable, the play appears to say; they are often once more. Regardless of that with solely three networks and large nationwide viewership, the tv information of Murrow’s day was way more influential than it’s in ours. “Good Evening, and Good Luck” is a strong and helpful reminder {that a} demigod, or perhaps it takes many whose names we don’t know, can nonetheless generally carry down a satan.
Good Evening, and Good LuckThrough June 8 on the Winter Backyard, Manhattan; goodnightgoodluckbroadway.com. Operating time: 1 hour half-hour.
