A Few Good Men

Reviewed by Neal Weaver
Noho Arts Center
Through July 17

RECOMMENDED

Aaron Sorkin’s 1990 drama is strong, subtle and effective enough to make one regret that he has since been lured away to labor in the more remunerative vineyards of Hollywood and television. The play has stood the test of time, and holds up well after 26 years.

It’s a tale of military justice (and injustice) that centers on two young marines (Travis Quentin and Zack Roosa) who are accused of murdering a young enlisted man, even though they did not intend to kill him and were acting under orders. The defense attorney assigned to defend them in their court-martial is Lieutenant J.G. Daniel Kaffee (KC Clyde), who is a bit of a playboy, privileged and arrogant, and doesn’t take the assignment seriously till he’s needled into it by a female officer from the Inspector General’s office, Lt. Commander Joanne Galloway (Sarmarie Klein). She’s repeatedly brushed aside by the male brass as a meddlesome woman, but she smells a rat and is determined to root it out. She’s also rooting for the two defendants and wants to see them vindicated, and the officers they answered to made to accept the blame they deserve.

There’s a cover-up by their commanding officers, Lieutenant Col. Andrew Jessup (Dennis LaValle), and Lt. Kendrick (Alexander Harris), despite the protests of their Company Commander Captain Markinson (Steven B. Green). It’s up to Kaffee and Galloway and their faithful aide Lt. Weinberg (Mike Lawson to penetrate the deception and defend their clients — and that effort provides the substance of the play.

The piece presents two major challenges for any small theatre with a limited budget: The show’s frequent scene changes call for turntables, winches, wagons, and other heavy and expensive equipment. And the army, navy and marine uniforms must be able to pass military inspection. (Most officers wear their uniforms with pride and style.) Pauletto has solved the first problem with ingenuity, and whoever is responsible for the costumes has made the actors look like real military men, despite occasional lapses. (Kaffee’s dress blues fit more snugly than the skin on a frankfurter.)

Pauletto has also cast the show beautifully. Clyde scores as the Harvard-trained lawyer who must learn a little humility without losing his legal savvy. And Klein, as the woman who makes him investigate the meaning of the words “code red,” provides an effective foil. LaValle’s Jessup is less suave than Jack Nicholson in the film, but his blunt, down-to-earth approach serves the play well. The rest of the huge cast provides staunch support.

Note: You might want to bring a sweater. The air-conditioning is chillingly effective.

The Warehouse Studio Theatre at NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., NoHo. Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; through July 17. (800) 838-3006 or www.afewgoodmenplay.brownpapertickets.com. Running time: 3 hours with one 15 minute intermission.