John Rubinstein Photo by Maria Baranova

The playwright references Eisenhower's writings, including letters, speeches and memoirs. The production is set in August, 1962 at the Eisenhower farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Rubinstein's Eisenhower fiddles with a reel-to-reel tape recorder as he attempts to collect material for a forthcoming book. Ike, as he was dubbed, is apoplectic because The New York Times ranks him as the 22nd of then 31 presidents. That the publication sees him as a "Great American, Not Great President" rankles Eisenhower and he will not let go of his reaction. He is certain he was better than that. Yes, it has been significantly noted that Eisenhower was a vastly successful general during World War II. That does not help Eisenhower get over the fact that people such as Herbert Hoover and Andrew Johnson were listed ahead of him by the Times.

Hellesen's scripting is precise and revelatory. We learn that Eisenhower was born in Texas and grew up in Kansas where the family had little money. The presentation takes many personal turns: The President and his beloved wife Mamie (who is out shopping while her husband delivers his monologue) lost a son, and Dwight Eisenhower retains sorrow with him forever. Back in that day, it was common knowledge that Ike loved to golf, but who knew that he was also an artist at the easel?

He also accomplished a great deal during the 1950s when, having twice defeated Adlai Stevenson in presidential elections, he concluded the Korean War, pursued peace, pushed for this country's space initiative, and supported civil rights for all Americans. While he was a Republican, Eisenhower resisted labels such as liberal and conservative. Now, in retrospect, it might not be a stretch to say that he supported the concept of bipartisan politics. Richard Hellesen fills the two acts with information and that well never runs dry.

Rubinstein engages the audience the moment he steps on the busy looking stage. Designer Michael Deegan provides chairs, tables and lamps which approximate the early 1960s and director Peter Ellenstein encourages Rubinstein to navigate the performance space fully. The actor moves side to side but never loses contact with the audience. He pretty much welcomes anyone watching to join him in this living room. This Eisenhower displays a range of reactions and emotions (as in the reference to Senator Joseph McCarthy) all within the context of a man who grew up in the Midwest. Projection and sound designer Joe Huppert creates further perspective with many images shown toward the rear of the stage.

Rubinstein is an acclaimed actor, winning a Tony Award for Children of a Lesser God and starring in the title role in Pippin to name just two of his achievements. He had never taken on a solo show before this one. Director Ellenstein and Rubinstein have made a smart decision to push the pace. Rubinstein performs with a combination of confidence and ease to convince observers to believe in him, in his personification of Eisenhower. It makes sense that Rubinstein has played piano, written musical compositions, and has been featured in musicals. The actor's father was pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who bequeathed musicality to his son. John Rubinstein develops a rhythm on stage during his delivery of the current show. He also has performed before in the Berkshires, notably at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Rubinstein has said that, when he was seven or eight, he actually met President Eisenhower when Arthur Rubinstein was performing at the White House. While Rubinstein recalls little about that occasion, he somehow channels a connection to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Distinctive and absorbing, Rubinstein fascinates as he crafts his performance.

Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground runs through June 8, 2025, at Barrington Stage Company, 30 Union St., Pittsfield MA. For rickets and information, please call 413-236-8888 or visit barringtonstageco.org.