Proctor Gives Us A Fine Debs In A Fine Production

It has been said that Eugene V. Debs, the great late 19th Century and early 20th Century labor leader and socialist, was the right man born at the wrong time. He was a compassionate lover of humanity who spent his adult years defending the working class against the oppression and abuse they suffered at the will of the monied, capital class. And he did much good, and his ideas helped change America for the better after his death in 1926. He ran for president four times on the Socialist ticket, the last time in 1920 while in prison. He was put there by opposing America’s entry in “The Great War” thereby “violating” a newly passed sedition law as awful as the one signed by John Adams at the end of the 18th Century. Debs' importance in American history probably cannot be overstated. But he is little known today. That said, if Debs could suddenly reappear in America now, he would see that his dreams for working people have not been completely realized, and would certainly soon become known, becoming the right man at the right time. SueMedia’s audioplay production of “Debs in Canton” is a wonderful introduction to Debs the man, the thinker, the humanitarian. Phil Proctor, who plays Debs in Elizabeth Schwartz and Yale Storm’s one-hour play perfectly portrays Debs’ single-minded dedication to the cause, while showing him to be a loving family man, good friend, and astute political thinker. And most importantly, as a man of conscience willing to go to prison to speak the truth. Proctor, known for his comedy as one-fourth of the great Firesign Theatre comedy group, gives us a Debs we would have wanted to meet and, possibly befriend. He is the heart of this production that is absolutely fine in all categories.