In Act II, Intelligence changes from a philosophical dialogue to a melodrama. What had been a matter of national security to Stella suddenly becomes intensely personal.
His stockbroker son, Richie, arrives unexpectedly. Richie has stolen money from clients and needs his father's help. His salvation is tied to bonds issued by the Latin American country Stella is monitoring. If the bonds are to keep their value, the military government must win the election. Richie needs assurance of that immediately.
The play's climax presents the audience with an irony of power. Killing Redondo? That doesn't bother Stella. But telling his son the certain result of the election before it happened - that would mean violating his security oath and breaking the law. That is what Stella agonizes over.
According to the program, Kenneth M. Cameron wrote Intelligence in 1983. He had to wait 25 years for this world premiere production, but he could not have had a better one. Walt Witcover's understanding direction keeps the audience's interest and emotions firmly engaged.
Leo Erickson is John Stella to the life - testy, superior, self-satisfied, secure in his power, and starved for human contact. As his wife Marie, Prudence Barry gives a striking portrayal of a woman in the grip of severe dementia.
Ben Kingsland and Karl Kippola give convincing portrayals of, respectively, the shrewd, idealistic Daniel and the weak and unlikable Richie.
Christine Demuth and Elliot Dash are effective as Stella's security agents, Shelly and Martin. Robotic and brusque of speech when on duty, they reveal engaging personalities in their relaxed moments.
Rep Stage presents Intelligence through Nov. 9 in Studio Theatre, Horowitz Center, Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. A discussion will be held after the Oct. 24 performance. Reservations: 410-772-4900, or www.repstage.org.
