Steadstyle Chicago
	March 2006 Theatre Review by Joe Stead
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Hizzoner Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** The name Daley is as synonymous with Chicago as Mrs. O'Leary's cow.  The political dynasty that continues to this day with the administration of current Mayor Richard M. harkens back half a century to a time when one man ruled the Windy City with an unprecedented and unsurpassed match of power and egotism.  Prop Thtr's World Premiere play "Hizzoner" is a juicy look at the first Mayor Daley, an often unflattering but essentially even-handed portrait of a fascinating Chicago original.  It is also a splendid tour de force for author and performer Neil Giuntoli, who effortlessly imbues all of the late Mayor's quirks, tantrums and idiosyncrasies with layers of humanity and even vulnerability. Few people would argue that Richard J. Daley was a tyrant.  Even one of his own friends described him as a "mean prick" who achieved his power by sheer luck and a willingness to attach himself to the right people he would later step on.  Bridgeport's favorite son grew up and continued to live the remainder of his life among the humble Irish Catholics of the South Side.  According to the play, Daley believed that in politics you could have money or power but not both.  And it was his religious and working class ethics that steered him through his personal and professional life. By account, he attended mass every day and very nearly went into the priesthood before dedicating himself to "tending to the people's business."  He wasn't someone you could get too close to, and "woe to anyone who didn't submit to his authority," per one observer.  If Daley wanted a bill to pass, who could stand in his way?  If members of the media became too inquisitive or reported anything that displeased him, he became a tiger.  Shouting matches were not uncommon in Daley press conferences as he hurled charges of libel, hallucination and pure fantasy at the press, while dodging or ignoring questions he simply had no interest in. In short, the public Mayor Richard J. Daley was as vivid and colorful a character as any pulp fiction writer could have imagined.  Playwright Giuntoli deals primarily with the era of the 1960's and early 70's, an explosive, politically and socially volatile background that sees Daley and his administration handling everything from the Civil Rights movement to the Vietnam War to protests and the tragic nationally-affected murders of Martin Luther King and John and Robert Kennedy.  Daley gave his all to the Kennedy presidency, although he steadfastly held that it was the will of the people and the right man for the job rather than his own clout that landed JFK in the White House.  Like Daley, the Kennedy's were good Irish Catholics, although considerably more affluent and refined.  And the twin murders of the two Kennedy brothers, and brother Ted's own reluctance to make a run for the Presidency no doubt had a devastating affect on the Mayor. We even get a glimpse here and there of the personal side of the man (a well concealed aspect in real life, no doubt) that shows a devout family man of unwavering if often self-made ideals.  You can even hear Giuntoli's voice break a bit when he tells his young son and future Mayor Richard M. via the telephone that he loves him.  Daley's own father had been a steal union leader who was politically broken and blacklisted by political opposition, an effect that no doubt inspired the Mayor's fierce self-survival tactics.  When he hands down one particularly oppressive order against dissenting demonstrators, his childhood friend Billy O'Donnel reminds him, "You are the power; those kids are only exercising their right to protest." "Hizzoner" is inexplicably a portrait not only of the Daley legacy, but also of the city of Chicago itself: tough, stubborn, beautiful, eclectic.  The Mayor describes Chicago as a "city of neighborhoods."  It's also rife with corruption and bigotry, although Daley maintains he can't change the way people think.  Major political figures and up-and-comers like Jesse Jackson (who turned down Daley's "plum" job offer as a toll collector) and later Daley successor Jane Byrne turn up alongside a colorful array of Daley friends, henchmen and advisors.  All are given their moments to shine, but just as one man ruled Chicago, "Hizzoner" is a star showcase for one actor/playwright, Neil Giuntoli. The portly Giuntoli appears to be in a constant state of indigestion, possibly the result of too many "beef dipped" sandwiches, not to mention carrying a city on his massive shoulders.  I will leave it to the older generation and historians to dissect just how accurate an impression of the real Richard J. Daley this is, but from a theatrical viewpoint I will say Giuntoli hits it out of the park.  The play is interspersed with lively low-tech black & white television footage and commercials, which set an intriguing timeframe. "Hizzoner" marks the 25th anniversary of Prop Thtr, which according to press notes makes it the oldest surviving Off-Loop, non Equity company in Chicago.  Added to the fact is Prop's sordid history of frequent itinerate theatre-hopping, inconsistency and lack of a full season means it often flies under the radar of some of the better promoted Off-Loop companies.  "Hizzoner" deserves to rectify that, especially if the packed house at the performance I attended is any indicator.  Prop's continuing mission to cultivate new and untested work is laudable and anyone who enjoys Chicago history will love this current term. "Hizzoner" continues its open ended run, now in its record-breaking third year, at Prop Thtr, located at 3502-4 North Elston.  The play runs 2 hours with intermission.  Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are $35 with student and senior discounts available.  For tickets call (773) 539-7838 or visit www.propthtr.org, www.hizzonertheplay.com or www.ticketweb.com.