A Few Good Men
By: Aaron Sorkin
Directed by Aaron Butler
Produced By: Garland Civic Theatre
Most of us have seen the blockbuster movie version of A Few Good Men, starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson, the story of the trial of two Marine servicemen who stand accused of the accidental death of a fellow unit member. Aaron Sorkin adapted the movie for the stage, creating a challenge for any theater daring to produce it. Garland Civic Theatre has assembled a strong cast and production team that present this drama with ease.
Director Aaron Butler’s casting choices were spot on. Joe Knighten and Zeke Fayble play the accused, Dawson and Downey (respectively). Both were perfectly cast and gave these roles the perfect amount of respect, humility and fear. They are good men who carried out their orders but face an uncertain future. For me, the scenes with Knighten and Fayble were the strongest performances of the night.
Russell Sims (Daniel Kaffee), Brennan Jones (Sam Weinberg) and Tekia Gee (Joanne Galloway) round out the defense team. The chemistry with this ensemble played very well as they navigated through the story, with each bringing a realness to their characters that made them relatable. Jay Peoples as Capt. Matthew Markinson has a particularly moving scene that he delivered so well I had chills. Josh Hepola as James Kendrick is a force on stage, very convincingly portraying his unwavering loyalty to the Marine “code”. And then there is Colonel Nathan Jessup, played by Scott Straus, who commands this role with a quiet reserve. Straus portrays this iconic character with controlled levels of stern intensity which makes his more dramatic moments much more powerful. A very strong performance.
Janae Hatchett is Jackie Ross, the formidable offensive attorney who is tough and holds firm against Team Kaffee. Allison Larrea, Jorge Lara, Tom McKee and Robert Honigsfeld round out the cast, with Luke Georgecink giving a very brief but memorable appearance as Santiago.
Overall, this cast does a fantastic job with this script, which at times, can feel a bit choppy. But that is the way the script is written and this team made it work. Once you get a feel for the flow of the show, it really moves along. Garland Civic’s production of A Few Good Men is definitely worth your time. It is thought provoking and will take you on an emotional journey. The show runs for two more weekends, so get your tickets now. You are sure to enjoy an evening of theater.
Go See the Show!
Eddy Herring
Audience Rating: PG-13 (language, gun shots, simulated suicide)
Accessible Seating: Yes
Hearing Devices Available: Yes
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable
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