Review: Ho!, What a Show!

Much to the opinion of Eugene Morris Jerome, who would have ever thought that Biloxi, Mississippi could be the setting of so entrancing a story: one that can simultaneously make a person quite pleased to share in the experiences of six men in basic training during World War II, and so touched by the multitude of stories and emotions that come from rather unexpected sources. Who could have understood the colossal significance of Biloxi, Mississippi without having shared the experience with these six brave individuals who want nothing more than to leave the hell they deem the Army and humiliate their drill sergeant to retaliate against their wounded pride? No - Biloxi would not mean very much to most people, but Neil Simon decided that Biloxi would be the place where everything that could happen, did: dreams came true, egos and resolves were shattered and the instilment of discipline was the code by which men lived their lives. There, boys would become men (well, men who would be taught how to handle a loaded weapon but could not keep their troublesome curiosities to themselves) and every effort would be made to turn insecure punks into people the army could indeed be proud of. Simon's Biloxi Blues, now being performed at The Monomoy Theater in Chatham, has given a Cape Cod audience a glimpse into the lives of men who have little choice but to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of the war effort, but this by no means signifies an end to personal growth and lessons to be learned; indeed, some of the best war stories happen in a man's own heart, and this is the brilliancy that takes place on Monomoy's stage.

Directed by Mary O'Brady, who really did a splendid job with this production, Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues is a tour-de-force of the lives of complete strangers, brought together for basic training and all to late realizing that their perception of what awaits them in the Army was rather askew. O'Brady wrote something beautiful about the basic concept of wartime, but the implications found in this statement are truly astounding and give a firm basis as to what Simon's show is truly about. She states "Ordinary people were asked to do extraordinary things...They were asked to save the world [and] they did." It is so ironic how war is indicative of death, destruction and all that people don't necessarily wish to think of, but the amount of personal growth that occurs when someone delves into the lives of those involved is truly astounding and honestly, quite riveting. Think of the well-known stories of South Pacific and LES MISERABLES, for example, and acknowledge how the subtext of war (as witnessed and experienced by those in the midst of it all) is really not all about fighting to win against the enemy, but instead how significant is the struggle of the human heart amongst fellow comrades in this fight against our own humanity.

Think of it: soldiers who are meant to become disciplined agents of war vocalize their desires of falling in love or preferring to attend a dance rather than be in the company of a prostitute; they admit their uncertainties about themselves and each other in relation to religion, sexual orientation and even the condition of their digestive tracts - all in pursuit of understanding each other and their mutual involvement in the war. Everyone down to the drill sergeant is affected by personal demons and desires, and to have this all occur during wartime just gives this path towards self-discovery that much more of an affecting spark; it really is a beautiful thing to behold. Monomoy has given its audiences another impressive and wonderful production to look forward to with this show, and as with every show the group presents, provides testament to the fact that its cast and creative teams are really doing something right to make each story told leap of their pages in an innovative and fascinating way.

Simon's Biloxi Blues tells the story of men of different shape, forms and temperaments who gather together in Biloxi, Mississippi for basic training and soon discover that their expectation of what the Army would offer them are to be drastically altered for what reality soon hurls at them. They are given a radical and somewhat manic drill sergeant who degrades them all to the extent that each seeks sweet revenge on his miserable self. These men are faced with everything from lying authority figures, degradation, first times and vengeful plots that can only be thought but never brought to fruition; basic training essentially has these men preparing for a war that is already happening in the parameter of their barracks. Each mas has something against somebody, but through an arduous process do they come to know each other in a way that makes them a collective team, not the distant and insecure bunch that was introduced at the play's beginning. Neil's story really covers every corner of every story told in this show, and it is truly one of the best shows Monomoy has chosen for its 2015 summer season.

To give much credit to the actors involved, everyone was perfectly cast and performed extremely well, as they do each and every time. Stephen Mir (Arnold Epstein) is so versatile an actor, and it is really amazing how he has such a different character to play in each show but embraces his part and performs it so well. As Epstein, he must remain the collected intellectual he prides himself on being, but is also taken aback by the religious remarks made against him; I really enjoyed watching him play his character. Nate Healey as Eugene Morris Jerome is, can I say it...adorable? His character, displaced from his Brooklyn home and admittedly not very familiar with the rest of the world and its ways, writes all of his thoughts about life and those around him in a journal, and yearns for someone he can simply converse with (the Gatsby reference was my favorite). He serves as the narrator of a story he knows all too well as he plays it out before the audience, and to watch him be so in love with the concept of love and keep that innocence about him (well...almost) during such a time of fear and uncertainty was so awesome to watch.

Darren Brown as Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey did a wonderful job playing a character whose rough and tough exterior is eventually shattered by something unexpected. As with any portrayal of a drill sergeant, he is loud, condescending and downright rude. Yet, there are times when he is taken aback by what one of his men does or says, and the time he takes to digest this surprise (as if anything could surprise him anymore) really stole my interest. The stamina needed by an actor to play this character, what with his lengthy and numerous monologues and the constant need for him to yell and pace back and forth, is admirable enough, and Brown plays the part well. Although I wish that I could name everyone, the cast really did a splendid job telling this story comprised of many stories, and I really must say that this was one of my favorite shows this season.

So, if you are in the Chatham area soon, there is only one performance left to see Simon's Biloxi Blues over at The Monomoy Theater. It really is a beautiful show, and even if you aren't a fan of wartime stories, you will love it nonetheless.

Biloxi Blues at the Monomoy Theater (located at 776 Main Street) began performances on August 18th and will continue thru August 22nd. Tickets are $28 and may be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (508).945.1589 or by visiting www.monomoytheatre.com/.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Dawniella Sinder

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