The recent spat of politician sex scandals -- and particularly, former Spokane mayor James E. West's online solicitation of sex with teenage boys -- are the clear inspiration for Stephen Karam's new play, Speech & Debate, which is inaugurating the Roundabout's new Black Box Theatre. While the playwright's tale about a trio of misfits at a Salem, Ogegon, high school is, at times, implausible, it also captures the awkwardness associated with a budding maturity.

Diwata (Sarah Steele) is an aspiring actress who can never seem to land a decent part in any of the high school productions. She blames this fact on her drama teacher, Mr. Healy, whom she calls "gay-guy-with-a-receding-hairline" on he[...]