The political and the personal are never able to be fully separate. The political environment we live in shapes our lives on so many levels it’s impossible to fully grasp, and our experience and the experiences of the people we care about shape our political views. As true as this is everywhere around the world, most people never consciously look too closely at the intersection. They rarely have to. But this intersection of the political and the personal is at the heart of Michael Hagins’ play, The Senator Speaks, now showing at the American Theatre of Actors.

Despite not liking much of what the NRA stands for (calling them in fact a bunch of gun nuts), family values Republican Senator Calvin Shepherd (Michael J. Whitten) has agreed to give a speech in hopes of their endorsement, at the encouragement of his chief of staff, Danny Johns (Xavier Rodney). Hours before the speech, a shooting happens at a nearby school. As Calvin, his family, and Danny all wait for news about the situation, all kinds of built up tension rises to the surface. Calvin finds himself being confronted with the consequences of actions that keep piling up over the course of his career, and is confronted with the very basic question of how much of the rhetoric he speaks he’s truly going to stand behind as the impact of laws he passed with the intent of keep his family and others safe comes closer to home than he could ever have imagined.

In today’s political climate, Hagins’ script hits hard. School shootings are still sadly common in the United States, as are many other types of gun violence, and many people are questioning how many voters and lawmakers realize just who they end up hurting with the candidates and laws they vote for. Do they see the impact it will have or realize the possibility of these events happening to or impacting a loved one or a family member? Or themself? It’s strongly written; there are maybe a point or two that could be dropped in a very tight final few moments of revelation, but the relentless pace perfectly keeps going and going the way some days really do hit you like a sledgehammer.

The cast is brilliant. As Senator Shepherd, Whitten presents a man who sets out believing wholeheartedly in his ideals and what he’s set out to do. His frustration and anger stem from a belief that people aren’t listening and appreciating what he’s trying to do for him. He has beliefs that are so entrenched, you can see the strength of them even at his most conflicted. As his liberal daughter, Corrine, unexpectedly home from college, Olivia Whicheloe mirrors a lot of his anger just in the opposite direction. As his wife, Martha, Mary Sheridan shows a lot of inner conflict as she sees the direction her husband is taking. But it’s often Rodney as Danny Johns that steals the show. He’s sleazy but captivating, smooth-talking and easy to hate in the best way, the kind of person everyone imagines pulling the strings at a capital.

Layered and powerful, The Senator Speaks responds to a lot happening in American politics. It’s timely and important and remarkably well done. It provides a lot of food for thought.