A FEW GOOD MEN – Written by Aaron Sorkin; Directed by Ed Castaldo. Produced by the Upstart Crow Theatre Company (presented at the Dairy Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder) through December 14. Tickets available at the Dairy.org.
Through an error, the playwright’s name is not included in the program for this stunning show. Investigation uncovered the gifted Aaron Sorkin as being responsible for this script that wends its way through complicated story lines with an ease that allows the difficult concepts to be presented as clear and undeniable. We expect no less from this talented writer who went on to give us WEST WING, MONEYBALL, and an updated TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD among other works. The personal through-line of his work is, however, morality, responsibility, and justice.
It is also not surprising to find the grounded and intelligent TJ Jackson leading this huge cast through the twists and turns as Lt. J.G. Kaffee. After arriving in Denver a year ago, he has cut a swath through theatrical journeys that led him to this place and this time. TJ’s performance is easy and authentic; commanding and humble; flawless and consistent. Recognition needs to be given. Dare I say it? Tom Cruise would be jealous!!
But a successful production is not generally accomplished on the back of one person. TJ has had help along the way. Equally outstanding in her role as a confident and determined Lt. Cdr. Joanne Galloway, Jordan Hull rises to a new level as an actress to be reckoned with. She is as tough as any of her male counterparts yet never sacrifices her femininity to make a point. She is caring and empathetic in standing up for Pfc Santiago who can no longer stand up for himself.
The cast of fifteen is full of rich, full moments of drama as an investigation and trial play out. The two soldiers accused of a heinous crime are Lance Cpl Dawson (Danice Crawford) who believes she was only following orders and Pfc Louden Downey (Joshua Raine), an underling who thought he had no choice. Their puzzlement at the outcome and steadfast defense of their positions as Marines gave root to the basic problem. The performance hinges around who gave those orders and were they orders that should have been followed? Is there a choice or only blind duty in morally ambiguous situations?
The “bad” guys in the production were equally dynamic. Lt. Kendrick, the enforcer for those higher up, is given a smarmy cold-blooded performance by Joseph Bowman. Would not want to meet him in a dark alley! Mark Bradford gave life to the difficult role of Capt. Markinson who knew what was ordered was wrong, did everything he could think of to save the soldiers accused of the crime, and when he could do nothing more, did the only honorable thing he could devise. Captain Ross, also caught between a rock and a hard place, negotiated the shortest sentence he could in an effort to stop the trial. Sean Coughlin gave this conflicted character both grace and guts. Joe Pratt as an attending doctor gave another strong conflicted performance, afraid to testify against higher ranking officers but desiring to tell the truth. Another quietly professional job was done by Kamari Schneider who was the second chair to Lt Kaffee in the trial. He was charmingly subordinate, the voice of reason on more than one occasion. Billie Bowman also gave a quietly professional performance as the Judge overseeing the trial. She took no guff from the defense or the prosecution.
A special place has to be given to the performance of Sky Michaels as Colonel Jessep, the Base Commander. From him, all blessings flow. No wonder everyone fears his wrath and power. His arrogance is unbelievable and his anger at being placed in the position of having to defend himself is colossal. He reigns holy! How dare they!!
This is a cast devoted to telling a story that resonates from the 1986 setting of this based-on-real-life incident to the city streets of today. I have often wondered what ICE “warriors” tell their wives and kids when they go home at night about what they did at work that day. What can they honestly share with their neighbors and pastors on a Sunday morning? Is there not another job they could find that would not require bending your knee every night and asking for forgiveness? Where’s today’s Kaffee??
A WOW factor of 8.75!!