Nancy Pelosi and AOC play ‘N/A’ is a predictable snooze

Don’t travel looking for juicy play astatine “N/A,” nan caller play astir Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that opened Thursday nighttime astatine Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

The behind-closed-doors scenes pitting nan Speaker of nan House against nan upstart New York congresswoman are much for illustration Disney’s Hall of Presidents — reverential and robotic — than sadistic Capitol Hill.

Sure, nan 2 pols fight. AOC (Ana Villafañe) brashly threatens to ballot against Pelosi (Holland Taylor) for speaker, and nan DC seasoned questions nan feasibility of passing nan divisive Green New Deal. They get into an annoying spat astir who’s much privileged.  

But nary infinitesimal is ever explosive. In fact, “N/A” is almost a ray comedy. Playwright Mario Correa turns Pelosi into a Don Rickles who delivers mean zinger aft mean zinger astir nan then-30-year-old rep of nan Bronx and Queens arsenic if she’s moving nan Catskills.

“I accidentally sat successful nan quiet car,” chatterbox AOC says.

Coldly replies Pelosi: “You must person been devastated.” 

Yes, location are plentifulness of punchlines successful “N/A.” But Correa’s play ever pulls its punches. 

There’s nary critique, really, aliases penetration into these celebrated women beyond what we already know. Instead of relatable humans, they’re evident ideological stand-ins: Pragmatism vs. Idealism; Youth vs. Experience; Moderate vs. Progressive. It’s a full lotta duh.

Such is nan peril of penning astir surviving governmental figures that nan writer plainly likes and admires.

The show, directed to immoderate grade by Diane Paulus, originates successful then-Minority Leader Pelosi’s agency aft Ocasio-Cortez’s wide predetermination triumph successful 2019, pinch DC Dems still shocked by her conclusion of Joe Crowley successful nan primary. 

“Jesus!,” AOC, who’s filming a societal media video, exclaims erstwhile Nancy spooks her. 

“Mary and Joseph,” Pelosi tacks on. 

That’s nan baseline level of this material.

At first, Pelosi dismisses Ocasio-Cortez arsenic a fad, taking a fewer notes and hardly giving her nan clip of day. 

But arsenic nan months tick down, AOC and “The Squad” commencement to instrumentality successful nan leader’s craw. The image of a millennial, Ocasio-Cortez demands instant action, whereas Pelosi prefers deliberate, observant progress.

“Do nan work,” she drums complete and over. 

The Pelosi character, especially, spouts disconnected a litany of Democratic Party platitudes designed to make a Manhattan theatre assemblage clap.

In an effort to make their speech emergence supra that of a run robocall, Correa has nan prickly brace find communal crushed astir their mothers and later nan convulsive events of Jan. 6. 

Yet, for nan astir part, nan lines are truthful clumsy that moreover nan playwright dings them. At 1 point, Pelosi rips AOC for speaking for illustration “a metaphor shower” and Ocasio-Cortez says nan speaker’s remarks could beryllium “a bumper sticker.” Both true!

Taylor and Villafañe are ideally formed successful less-than-ideal circumstances. 

Villafañe, who played Gloria Estefan successful “On Your Feet!” connected Broadway, is eerily akin to AOC, particularly nan strength of her eyes and voice.

Meanwhile, Taylor, who’s nary alien to playing politicians, wisely doesn’t effort to transcript Pelosi’s unsocial sound. That prime would teeter into sketch drama territory. 

Instead, nan character focuses connected CSPAN gravitas and a no-nonsense attitude. A disarming grin from Taylor will quickly threat into a glare of stern admonishment. 

That’s not nan only lightning-fast turnaround successful “N/A.”

At nan end, nan women alternatively beryllium successful Ocasio-Cortez’s overmuch tinier office. And Pelosi, abruptly a magnanimous mentor, suggests AOC tally for speaker aliases moreover nan presidency. 

Why nan alteration of heart? Did Jan. 6 springiness Nancy a consciousness of her ain mortality? Is she starting to spot herself successful nan young spitfire? Who knows? Whatever nan reasoning, it comes crossed arsenic a inexpensive ploy for a cleanable finish.

And, arsenic we each saw during different wreck connected Thursday — nan statesmanlike statement — authorities ain’t clean.