Early days of ‘fake news’ fuel the politics of ‘Campaigns, Inc.’ at TimeLine Theatre

George Hatfield (Mark Ulrich, from left) and Frank Merriam (Terry Hamilton) strategize with political consultants Leone Baxter (Tyler Meredith) and Clem Whitaker (Yuriy Sardarov) in “Campaigns, Inc.” (Brett Beiner Photography)

The more things change in American politics, the more they stay the same. That’s one possible takeaway from “Campaigns, Inc.,” a new political comedy at TimeLine Theatre Company that marks the playwriting debut of company member Will Allan.

Allan’s inspiration is the 1934 race for governor of California, and more specifically the work of a duo he identifies as among the first of a new professional breed: the political consultant.