According
to Ciccarelli, the play, which is set in 1986, is perhaps more
relevant today than when it first came out.
The story
is set mostly in a courtroom with a few flashback scenes
detailing what really happened. In the Hoboken production, the
play is staged in the real Hoboken courthouse.
A few really good men
In this character-driven play, all the actors are
interesting to watch and work well together. But it is the
lead actors that really shine.
Jon Crefeld is outstanding in the lead role of Dan Kaffee.
With incredible comic timing, he lands lines that lesser
actors would flatten out. Crefeld also has an inside view of
the military from having served in the Army for six years.
According to Ciccarelli, it was a great help to have
Crefeld in the production with his knowledge of how things
work.
Charles J. Roby, who plays Colonel Jessup, is a delightful
villain. Roby looks and sounds the part of a Colonel with his
booming voice and dynamic stage presence. There is never any
doubt who is in charge when he's onstage.
Director Jon Ciccarelli plays the minor role of Captain
Whitaker and is great in a scene with Crefeld. Part of their
natural rapport comes from the experience of working together
on past productions.
But perhaps the most surprising thing about the production
is the quality performances from the entire cast. All the
actors are engaging and give compelling portrayals.
The transitions from one scene to the next are seamless and
build up suspense to the final courtroom drama.
Other actors include: Andre Stamford as Corporal Dawson,
Patrick Fellows as Private Downey, Brant Cunningham as Lt.
Weinburg, Kerry Fitsgibbons as Joanne Galloway, Kyle Baxter as
Captain Markinson, Billy Weimer as Kendrick, David Sewell as
Ross, Steve Bari as Corporal Howard, Jorge Enrique Rivas as
Dr. Stone, and the play was produced by L. Robert Johnson.
The company
The Hudson Shakespeare Company, which has been together for
14 years, has performances all year long.
This is the 10th year for Artistic Director Jon Ciccarelli.
"A Few Good Men" is the seventh production he has directed.
For their summer season, the company will perform
Shakespeare in local parks for free.
Ciccarelli's next play will be "Pericles" by William
Shakespeare that runs from June 19 to July 8. For more
information about their current production or future shows,
please visit: www.hudsonshakespeare.org. Tickets are:
$15/adult, $10/students, and $10/seniors. The exception is for
the March 30 production, for which all tickets are $5 and are
for charity.
Hudson Shakespeare Company presents "A Few Good Men" from
March 24 through April. Because of the success of opening
weekend, other dates will be added in April. For updates check
out their website. For ticket information, please call (973)
626-3100.
'A Few Good Men'
March 30, St. Mary's Catholic School, Third & Erie
streets, Jersey City, 9:30 a.m.
March 31, Kenilworth Municipal Court, 526 Kenilworth Blvd.,
Union County, 7:30 p.m.
April 1, St. Mary's Catholic School, 3rd & Erie
streets, Jersey City, 8 p.m.
April 4 & 5, Medicine Show Theater, 549 West 52nd St.,
NYC, 8 p.m.
Hoboken Courthouse, Hoboken, dates TBA
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