By Lisa Fama, MLT board member and co-producer of “A Few Good Men”
Directed by Billy Lewand, “A Few Good Men” opens Friday, March 6, 7:30 p.m. at Marblehead
Little Theatre. Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism.
Many know this story by way of the 1992 Rob Reiner film but are unaware that it was a play first. MLT’s black box theatre (which seats fewer than 100 people) is the perfect setting for an intimate retelling of the timeless classic. There are 17 cast members and a set reminiscent of Guantanamo Bay, where some of the action takes place, as well as a courtroom that determines the future of the Marines accused of murder.
We asked our cast members to share some insights with us on their experience interpreting their characters’ motivations and what they learned from the production. Cast member Jamil Johnson, who plays Private William T. Santiago, states “[w]hat I hope audiences take away from this production is that cases like this happen almost every day. That this story is still more relevant today and that we as humans should really have compassion for one another. I also hope that what they take away from this is to always stand up for what is right, don’t always take the easy way out because it sounds better, fight with all you got for justice.”
Alessandro J. Odoguardi, who portrays Harold Dawson, says “[t]his play means reconnecting with my roots in theatre and why I began acting in the first place. I want the audience to understand the complications of a system run by imperfect men that requires no questioning to function. Hopefully, people take away that characters such as mine struggle to discern between right and wrong when under this system.”
And finally, Ted Merritt (Commander Walter Stone) shares that “[A Few Good Men] is a timely reminder that all citizens, including members of our military, have a duty to refuse to follow illegal orders. Dr. Stone exemplifies the individual failure of character to push back against corrupt authority when necessary. Coincidentally, the last character I portrayed in an MLT play, Dr. Dussel in ‘Diary of Anne Frank’, shows what can happen if the citizenry doesn’t.”
MLT is excited to share this always relevant story with our community. Please get your tickets now as they are going fast: go to mltlive.com to purchase, and for more information on this and upcoming shows. Performances of “A Few Good Men” run March 6 through March 15.
