“A Few Good Men” succeeds onstage at Circle Theatre
Strong actors in leading roles, fluid staging, and flawless execution of Sorkin’s sparkling rapid fire dialogue contribute to the local success on stage, here through June 16.
Circle Theatre’s production of “A Few Good Men” will likely please fans of the well-known 1992 film of Aaron Sorkin’s stage play. The play itself, which preceded the film by a few years, still has much to offer for theatre goers in present day America.
Strong actors in leading roles, fluid staging, and flawless execution of Sorkin’s sparkling rapid fire dialogue contributed to the play’s success on stage before Friday’s audience.
Based on a real life incident, the play focuses on the court-martial of two Marines for the murder of a fellow soldier at the U.S. Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.
Central to the story is the heavyweight showdown between appointed defense attorney, Lt. j.g. Daniel Kaffee and the commanding officer of the accused, Colonel Nathan Jessep.
Those who have seen the movie, which is now ubiquitous on late night cable channels, will recognize echoes of Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson in the performances of actors Jesse Aukeman and Todd Lewis, who portray Kaffee and Jessep, respectively. This is not a distraction, however, and takes nothing away from director Mike Hull’s solid production.
Aukeman is effective early on in showing us the nonchalant attorney who is more interested in softball than professional commitment to his clients. He makes reckless calculations regarding his ability to secure a plea bargain for the defendants he represents. After the realization that he has drawn this legal assignment because the Military wishes to keep the good name of Jessup out of harm’s way in the courtroom, Aukeman shifts gears physically and vocally from softball to hardball. Then he summons the formidable Colonel to the courtroom as a witness.
Lewis, as Jessep, views himself as a soldier who lives by a code, dedicated to saving lives. He also sounds other notes that reveal insecurities that later make his character vulnerable to Kaffee’s cross examination. He presents us with a man who believes he is always right—in fact, infallible. A sarcastic tone and threatening demeanor throughout help Lewis set the stage for the iconic meltdown that reveals Jessup’s guilt and his deep contempt for civilians he is charged with protecting.
Chelsea Pummill, as Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway shows us a savvy female officer who has learned to navigate the military legal system and survive by controlling her emotions in a male-dominated military. Pummill’s character can be hard-boiled when the locker room insults come her way, or kind and supportive when fellow attorney Kaffee needs coaxing.
Small wonder that Sorkin’s play was adapted to the big screen. His cinematic stage script flows back and forth in space and time, revealing complex connections between characters and their relevance to the trial before us.
Don Wilson’s scenic design, a circle within a slightly raked larger circle, facilitates rapid set changes and affords numerous playing areas, including the half circle of chairs for the courtroom scenes. Wilson’s design has no walls or doors to impede the play’s action.
Tom Kaechele’s lighting design supports numerous shifts from the courtroom, to an apartment, and to Guantanamo and back.
Director Mike Hull creates lucid stage pictures and provides fluid transitions with actors moving seamlessly from one scene into the next. Some transitions, specifically the ones during blackouts, are covered by rhythmic marching drill chants.
Hull’s production moves swiftly, never lags and suffers only from a couple of questionable casting choices in supporting roles.
Although Aaron Sorkin could not have anticipated the current political landscape, the characters, situations, and observations of this play written in the 1980’s remain relevant today. Included here are themes related to civilian oversight of the military and the potential for abuses of power.
The most appealing quality of “A Few Good Men,” however, is its ability to shine a light on the aspirations and shortcomings of those in power and those who seek to rein them in. And that is an attribute that never seems to go out of style.
“A Few Good Men”
By Aaron Sorkin
Directed by Mike Hull
Circle Theatre
1703 Robinson Road SE
On stage through June 16
Tickets available here.
