BWW Reviews: Pandora's Delightful YANK! Closes Out 2014-2015 Season

Pandora Productions' 2014-2015 season has been an ambitious one. United by a mission to produce works with LGBT characters and themes, one of Louisville's most popular companies' year has brought to the stage period pieces, recent hits and experimental works. Pandora closes its season with a recent musical that blends the classic and contemporary: "Yank!: A World War II Love Story," an affectionate adaptation of patriotic platoon films that throws in some Swing-era ballads for flavor and probes the challenge of putting on a uniform to defend a country that considers you a degenerate underneath it. The uneven but entertaining production pulls off a retro charm while asking difficult questions that still resonate today.

The play begins with a frame story in which a young man in modern-day San Francisco finds an old journal in a junk shop. Within the journal is an incredible story into which he steps as Stu, an idealistic young recruit joining a regiment that will be sent off to fight in the Pacific theater in the waning, but still deadly, days of the war. As life in the armed services forces him to man up quickly, he becomes intimately aware of the gay undercurrents of Army life. He also finds himself deeply attracted to his platoon partner, Mitch. On the eve of their first conflict, a timely intervention by a cagey photographer lands Stu a job writing for "Yank," the popular periodical serving the GIs. As a journalist Stu finds he can, within Army parameters, write about alternative lifestyles within the armed forces while investigating them himself. But a reunion with his fellow troops forces Stu to make hard choices about fighting for "freedom" of which he would enjoy little back home.

Early reviews of the original production claimed the second act did not do the story justice, but I found the climax and denoument as bittersweet as the coda is hopeful for the future of those like Stu and Mitch, who feel as patriotic as any other American despite facing persecution of select citizens. Pandora's production did the characters and their story justice from beginning to end. Director Michael Drury makes deft choices with modular staging, keeping the pace of the cinematic piece brisk, though a bit more beholden to the musical undercurrent than some of the more dramatic beats. He chooses his flourishes wisely for the climactic combat scenes, crafting slow-motion battles that leave an impact. Karl Anderson's set is a clever frame to the action, decorated in wartime photos, faded and worn red, white, and blue, and featuring the tasteful use of a projection screen to mark time passages and add visual elements. Donna Lawrence-Downs' costumes are period-perfect utilitarian for the men in uniform and classically beautifully for the bevy of crooners portrayed by the sonorous Deborah Mae Hill.

Ben Gierhart's (Stu) fresh-faced spirit buoys the action and carries the play forward as he confronts the terrible realities of war and love. He and Ken Robinson (Mitch) charm with an innocent chemistry navigating love in a time of war. Robert Kingery is a devious delight as the pragmatic Artie, along with providing some deft footwork in his many dance numbers. The varied faces making up Stu's company are a mixed bag along the Acting/Singing/Dancing Triple-Threat Spectrum, with various strengths and weaknesses among them, but they create an endearing group that makes us feel for most of them individually as they support the central story. Remy Sisk is a standout as the rough-and-tumble Tennessee, and Pandora regular Joe Hatfield has fun with Gerald Robertson and Cory Spencer as a trio of "Gone with the Wind"-quoting gals in the typing pool. The aforementioned Ms. Hill mixes the glamour of fronting big bands with an effective turn as a high-level secretary turning favors and embodying the lesbian experience of loving a country that does not return the sentiment.

Some technical issues arose during the performance without hindering enjoyment of it too incredibly. In the pre-show speech, Drury noted the company's acquisition of body mics for each performer. However, the inconsistent use of them made adjusting to sound levels difficult at times, and the live band, albeit excellent, muddied some of the vocal lines. But nothing in the way of story of humor was lost in the process of overcoming these minor quibbles.

Pandora has built an enviable following with a well-defined mission and productions that bolster its place within Louisville's varied theater scene. "Yank" provides a lighter touch that still leaves a mark as the company closes out another successful season. Definitely one to see.

"Yank!"

Music by Joseph Zellnik

Book & Lyrics by David Zellnick

Presented by Pandora Productions

Through May 24 at the Henry Clay Theatre

For more information, go to www.pandoraprods.org

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