Interview: Donald Rupe on Directing A FEW GOOD MEN

The 1992 drama, A FEW GOOD MEN, that starred Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore comes to the Central Florida Community Arts stage this week. The play preceded the film, but bubbled up in popular culture with the line, "You can't handle the truth." BroadwayWorld Orlando chatted with Director Donald Rupe to get some perspective about bringing this play to life.

BWW: It's been awhile since we've chatted. I see that Central Florida Community Arts is doing A FEW GOOD MEN. I have not seen the play, but I have seen the 1992 movie version starring some pretty famous actors. How does the play differ from the movie?

Donald Rupe: The play and the movie are pretty similar actually. There are some changes in dialogue of course, but Aaron Sorkin actually updated his original script after the movie came out to reflect some of the differences. The biggest difference, I think, is that the events are more intense and hard-hitting when the actors are live and just a few feet in front of you. I've heard members of our audience remark that they've been surprised what an emotional experience the show has been.

The acting in the movie is very strong. Tell me about your cast and what traits you looked for when casting the lead characters.

I tried my best not to think about the movie. I think I may have seen it when I was a kid but for me I spent all of my time with the clues that are in the script. I was really lucky during this casting process. I think this is a play that doesn't get done very often and that actors want to be in, so I saw a ton of talent come out. Casting, I think, is the most important step in the process, and there's usually an 'Aha!' moment during call-backs where you can tell you've found the best person for the job. I felt that moment with each of our major characters, and I think what I personally enjoy most about our production is seeing stellar performances in many of our actors, not just the two or three leading roles.

Initially Lt. Kaffee was not sympathetic towards the defendants; however, his opinion changes at the end and becomes passionate about their defense. What do you think triggers this change?

I don't think he's necessarily unsympathetic at the top of the show as much as he is apathetic, or maybe even lazy. Thus far in his career, he's relied on his ability to negotiate plea bargains for his clients because he has an unspoken fear of the courtroom. The memory of his father and the challenge of living up to his abilities as an attorney are extremely intimidating for him. Kaffee's journey with the death of his father is one of the more interesting and important themes in the play, in my opinion, and I think Joanne helps him to realize that perhaps he doesn't need to live in his father's shadow but can live in such a way that his father would be proud of him. I think that realization is what leads him to pay closer attention to the facts of the case and consider what's really going on with his clients.

There seems to be conflict between the combat element of the military and the justice wing of the military. Do you feel conflict is true in general or just a conflict made up for drama on television and this play?

I'm sure disagreements between departments are a thing, though the cast and I have questioned just how much is realistic. The conflict between 'following orders' and 'doing the right thing' is what creates the tension in this show. It's interesting to hear the audience talk about who they thought did the right thing; the answers vary and, I think, say a lot about people politically and personally.

This play brings up the idea that sometimes brutal measures are necessary for defense of the homeland. I think this is a very relevant topic given the current political climate. What are your thoughts on this and how do you showcase this juxtaposition on stage?

Without being too political, I think that the answer to this question needs to be answered by each member of the audience. The play does a pretty good job, I think, of showing both sides of the issue. As in real life, the characters on stage often disagree with each other fundamentally on who is right. What's interesting to me is that some of those characters are able to find common ground on these issues and can even form relationships in spite of their differences (like Jo and Sam in the play). Others are unable to see past their own points of view, and, for better or for worse, isolate themselves largely from those around them. Others still exist in the play ignorant that there is even room for an opinion outside of their own. I think Sorkin does a great job of using these different personalities to force the audience to consider where they (truly) stand on some things---and I think that, in reality, rarely are we as extreme as some of these characters are. For me, and for many, I think, the truth is, like everything else, somewhere in the middle.

So do you believe the Colonel as a villain or a misguided hero?

Good question, but I don't think I should answer it :-). Again, I feel like the audience needs to decide this for themselves.

In the end, what do you want audiences to take away from seeing the show?

I think there is so much. This is a play that, I think, is surprisingly emotional. Because of the subject matter, one might think of the play as being a largely cerebral experience, but I think----if attacked the right way, there are some pretty deep emotional responses in there too. Because of who I am, I feel really attached to the Kaffee character and his journey to make his father proud (posthumously, even). And finding the will to succeed despite his deepest hangups. That drive to be the best version of yourself is prevalent in many of these characters; Sam wants to be the best dad he can be, Jo wants to do the right thing and be a good lawyer, Jessep wants to defend the nation, Markinson wants to be a defender---they each have a deep drive to be the best versions of themselves and they each respond differently to either their success or their failure in this attempt. Kaffee wants to make his father proud. Watching how each character approaches this will to succeed is really moving to me.

That, and the difficulty at finding (and handling) the truth. It's not always black and white; it's not always cut and dry. Sometimes the truth is hard to find and even harder to handle.

Very interesting stuff and it's so great to hear from your perspective. A FEW GOOD MEN runs at Central Florida Community Arts on select dates from February 17 - March 4. For tickets and more information visit http://cfcarts.com.

Photo Credit: Donald Rupe/Central Florida Community Arts

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