PROVINCETOWN REP - 1998 Season Subscription

Name

Address

City State zip- - I was a subscriber in '97 - Iwish to order subsrcription(s)/ Flex Passes at $45 each = $

THEMINEOLA TWINS - July 18 - August 2 1st choice date 2nd choice date

THERAMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING - August 13 - 30 1st choice date 2nd choice date

HUGHIE - September 1o - 27 1st choice date 2nd choice date

(It is not necessary to pick your dates with a Flex Pass)

- Ialso wish tojoin Provincetown Rep's Circle of Friends by making a $25 tax deductible contribution. $ $2.00 charge for postage/handling $ TOTAL DUE $ METHOD OF PAYMENT

- Enclosed is my check made payable to Provincetown Repertory Theatre

Please charge my: - Visa - Mastercard - American Express

Number Expiration date Signature

Your tickets will be mailed to you. If you need to change a date after receivingyour order, just call us. We'll gladly exchange your tickets for another evening. Program and schedule subject to change; sorry we cannot offer refunds. Subscription orders must be received by July 15,1998. For more informationcall: 508-487-0600

Our box office (opens July 1) 508-487-5600 MAY 21,1998 PROVINCETOWN BANNER SUMMER PREVIEW1998 Luc break-a-legs Theater companies thrive despite creative risks

plishments of bringing lamed direc- to the town’s theatrical roots - a ByHamilton Kahn tor Jose Quintero and playwright production of Eugene O’Neill’s BANNERSTAFF Edward Albee to town were tough two-characterdrama ”Hughie,”di- acts to follow, but artistic director rected by Laura Josephsen, about a Lucky for residents and visitors, Ken Hoyt keeps coming up with small-time gambler’sconfessions to summer theater is a thrivingcultural toppers,including this month’s gala a hotel night clerk. A distinguishing staple, as it has been here for more benefit at Boston’s ShubertTheater, characteristicof this productionwill than 80 years.And lucky forthe the- starring Julie Harris, Hume Cronyn, be a filmed rendition of the lead aters, audience interest and support Kim Hunter and Lee Grant. The character’s thoughts, which were remain strong. centerpieceof its upcoming season precluded from inclusion in early Lucky,because theater has and al- are a play and appearance by Paula versionsof this work.The play runs ways will be among the riskiest of Vogel, winner of the 1998 Pulitzer from September 10-27. For ticket all creative endeavors. Expensive Prize for playwriting for her play, continuedon next page and time-consumingto produce, a “How I Learned to Drive,” Vogel’s play comes to full fruition only comedy,“The Minneola Twins, ” ,ji- when the lights go up on opening rected by Ronn Smith, opens PRT’s night. By then, it’s too late to do season at the Provincetown Muse- anything but minortinkering, which um (adjacent to the Pilgrim Monu- is why there is no such thing as a ment on High Pole Hill) and runs sure-fire hit (just ask Paul Simon from July 18-August2. In addition, and countless others before him). Vogel, a long-time visitor to Yet despite these risks and the un- Provinetown, is expected to con- predictabilityof the econo- duct a playwriting seminar (details my, local theater groups keep taking to be announced later). Next up is the plunge again and again- and the world premiere of a one-man with a remarkable high degree of play by PRT company member success. Marc Wolf entitled “Another Amer- Speaking of high, the Province- ican: Asking and Telling,” directed town Repertory Theater, heading by Tom Demenkoff, running from into its fourth season as the Cape August 13-30. It’s described as a tip’s resident professional is “poignantand startlinglook the troupe, into Marjorie Conn is back at the almost dizzy from riding waves of and personal issues” debate sur- ProvincetownInn, peforming success good fortune toward its and rounding be issue of gay men and Gegory Henderson returns to town this season with his “LorenaHickok” and Wallace goal of building a new theater in lesbians in the military. The season one-man show “Whirlwind,“ Shawn’s “ Provincetown. Its previous accom- wraps up in September with a return renamed “TheFever. at the UniversalistMeeting House. MAY 21,1998 PROVINCETOWNBANNER SUMMER PREVIEW

continuedfrom last page sonators Joanna James and Jona shows in a season running from Williams, the reigning Miss Gay June 29 to Labor Day, including the Jonathan Reynold‘s comedy Massachusetts. It runs Monday one-woman show,”LorenaHickok kson’s House,” di- nights, June 8-Sept 7, with curtain and Eleanor Roosevelt: A Love Marc Wolf will Walker. The im- time at 7 p.m In another first, PTC Story,” starring Conn and back for perform plausible plot concerns an African- will present a production for “chit- its fifth season in Provincetown af- “Another American tour guide who offers dren of all ages” entitled ‘Ihe Forest ter a successful cross-country tour. American: himself as a slave to an Ohio couple of John the Fox,” by Wellfleet resi- Conn will also be performing Wal- visiting the Confederate general’s dent Fran DeVasto, whose Periwin- lace Shawn’s one-personplay, ‘The ns Wednesdays through kle Players have been entertaining Fever,” three times a week, while July 22-August 15. youngsters in Wellfleet for the past RF. Griffith and Ellen Mulroney Samuel Beckett’sexistential master- several summers. It will be per- will star in ”The Diary of Adam piece, ‘Waiting for Godot,” directed formed at 7 p.m. Wednesdays from and Eve” on Sundays and Mondays by JeffZinn (seeaccompanying sto- July 8-August 26 at the Provincetown at 7 p.m. Daniel Haben Clark will ry). runs Wednesdays through sun- town Inn, One Commercial St. The direct his own play, ‘Tiny and the days, 13, and company’s artistic director, Roger Size QUeen,’’ about a hustler the cast includes Dan Joy, Casey Cacchiotti, will direct “Message to “somewhat unqualifiedfor his pro- Clark, Julie Perkins and Ed Swiddy. Michael,” by Tim Pinckney,an ur- fession,” from July 2-Sept. 5. Also Further UP rhe Cape. the Acade- gional High School in Eastham at Wrapping things up in the fall will ban, gay, bitterswet romantic com- in the works are new plays by Fran my ofPerforming Arts, 120Main 10 a.m. Fridays from July 10-Au- be “Nixon’s Nixon,” a comedy by edy runningThursday through Sun- Arenson,aka Roxanne, and Ruth St, Orleans, Will benefit from two gust 21. For ticket information and Russell Lees, starring Stephen RUS- days, July 9-26 at 8 P.m. at the Greenblatt(details to be announced performances this FridaY and Satur- reservations call 255- 1963. sell in the title role and, perhaps, Provincetown Inn. Steve Martin’s later). For tickets and further infor- day*May 22 and 23, by famed =- WHAT’S artistic co-director Gip successful comedy ‘‘Picasso at the mation call 487-2666. tress and Cape resident Julie Harris, Hoppeas Henry Kissinger(depen- Lapin Agile,” directed by Gary Fans of Gregory Henderson’s Who will be reading a new one- TheCapeRePTheatte,Route ing on the availability of Hoppe, Palmer, runs August 6-23 at 8 p.m. 1995 hit “Big Wind on Campus” Woman play, “Staying on Alone: 6A, Brewster, has a chock-a-block whose plays “Jackie” and “Future at the Inn, and it concerns a fictional will be pleased to hear about the TheAutobiography of Alice B. Tok- summer schedule consisting of Hollow” are in the process of beiig 1904 encounter between the artist show’s return to the Universalist las,” assembled by literary scholar Arthur Miller’s “A View From the produced in England, Germany and and Albert Einstein in Paris. The fi- Meeting House, 236 Commercial Bruce Kellner. (Tickes are $35.) Bridge” (Thurs.-Sun.thtough June Los Angela). For tickets and other nal offering of the season is ‘‘Give It St., under its new name, ‘whirl- Next UP is John Steinbeck’s ‘‘Of 141, the musical “Once Upon A information call 349-6835. Up,” written and performed by Eng- wind.” In the years since its Mice and Men,” directed by Adona Martress” (July 2-25], Neil Simon’s Now in its 35th season, the lish actress Maggie Barrett and di- Provincetownpremiere three years Butler, which runs from May 29- “The Sunshine Boys” (August 4- ProvinctownTheatre Company rected by Charles Manyan. Recently ago, the one-man, multiple-charac- June 6 with Friday and Saturday 22) and Ariel Dorfman’s “Death is offeringsomething for everyone showcased at the Neighborhood ter comedy, directed by Joseph performances at 8 P.m. and a20’- and the Maiden” (Sept.- 1-26). In in its ambitious and varied season. Playhouse in New York City, the Massa, has revisedits script, added clock matinee On Sunday-May 3l. addition, Cape Rep’s Outdoor the- First out of the gate is “The Tranny play is described as being about a character, and earned accoladesin The rest of sUmmer schedule in- ater will present “Rapunzeland the chase.” by Les Simpson, directed “survival, choices and the art of NewYork City, chicago, Washing- cludes “Gilbert & Sullivan’s Witch” on Tuesdays and Fridays at by Michael Soldier, an award-win- finding a place to belong in the ton, D.C.,, Miami and other U.S. “H.M.S. Pinafoe’’ (June 18-JulY 411 10 a.m., June 30.SePt. 4, and on ning black comedy about drag world.” It runs August 27-31, with cities, and from here it’s headed the musical “Grease” (July 9-Au- Mondays July 13.20, and August queens and the straight men who performances at 8 P.m. at the Inn. For back to New York for a production guSt 11, “Broadway ‘98’’(August 6- 17 and 24 at 8 p.m., as well as “The chase after them. It will be the first ticket information call 487-8673. by the TurnipTheater Company It Sept. 5) and the musical “GYPSY” Bremen Town Miusicians” at 10 Play ever stagedat the 200-year-old Marjorie Conn’s C.A.P.E. The- runs Thursdays through Mondays, (Sept. 10-0ct. 3). In addition, the a.m. Wednesdays from July I-Sept. Atlantic House, 6 Masonic Place, ater, also at the Provincetown Inn, June 18-Sept. 7, with performances Academy Will present “Aladdinand 2. For ticket information and reser- Wonderful Lamp” at Nauset and the caSt features female imper- will provide the space for several at 8 p.m. For tickets and infoma- the Re- vations call (508)8961888. R 0 V I N CE T 0 W N

20 PROVINCETOWNBANNER Boston gala gives big boost to the provincetown cochair Josiah Spaulding. president “Planet of the Apes"). Hunter read By Hamilton Kahn ofthe WangCenter for the Perform- several of Williams’ poems, which BANNERSTAFF ingArts(where the after-galarecep- shesaid were unfairly overshadowed tion was held). Studds introduced byhisplays. Ifthere were any doubts remain- Emmy and Oscar-winning actress With Jason Robards unable to at- ing about Ken Hoyt’s dream of LeeGrant, who currently works as a tendbecause of illness, famed actor building a professional theater in documentery film producer. Grant Hume Cronyn filled in admirably, Provincetown,they were vaporized referred to theater as s ”religion”and recitingshort poems by Ogden Nash by the ”One Night Only”benefit for spoke of a recent interview with and A.E.Housman and performinga the Provincetown RepertoryTheatre VanessaRedgrave she found inspir- long monologue by the character held Monday night at the Shubert ing. “That same sense of mission is Richard Crookback from Shake- Theatrein Boston what [PRT artistic director] Ken speare’s ”HenryVI, Part III”-all A capacity crowd of approxi- Holt and Provincetown Rep have:' entirelyfrom memory An impish, mately 1,600 turned out for a re- Grant said. “The resurrectionof youthful presence despite his d- markably varied ud moving Provincetowntheater is a gutreac- vanced age,Cronyn finished witha eveningof enterainment featuring tion to its past and is pushing that poem by Edna SI. ViMillay legendaryperformers Juilie Harris, past intothe future.” andalso introduced the audience to HumeCronyn, Kim Hunter and Lee Lauren Ward,a memberof the the former SusanCooper, whom he Grant, along with up-and-coming castof the Broadway revival recentlymarried following the death Broadwaysinging star Lauren Ward, of the musical ”1771,”wowed the of hislong-time wife, the actressJes- and membersof the PRTcompany, crowdwith her flawlessvocal tech- sicaTandy Withthe Subert stage adorned niquein a song from that show enti- AfterHoyt took the stage briefly with a gigantic version of PRT’s tled ”HePlays the Violin,”accompa- to offer thanks to me theater and mceesJoyce Kulhawikewave logo, nied byviolinist Irina Muresanu and gala’smany supporters, PRT actors andGerry Studds got things going, pianisl Micheal Baitzer from the Alison Crowley, Jerry O’Donnell with Studds calling Provincetown, Boston Conservatory. (Ward and and William Dewy performed a his part-time home, a”historic, mag- Baitzer later returned for another scene from O’Neill’sone-act, ”Ile,” icaland wonderfully idiosyncratic song from a new musical,”Violet,” which Jose Quintero directed in community." The Cape’s former which got offa roughstart when Provincetown two summers ago. Congressman,Studds added that it Ward twiceforgot the words andhad Then PRTcapital campaign co- was Inight of first: his first time tostart over.) chairsAlix Rotchie andAnton Schif- sharing the billing with WBZ-TV Providing I link with another fenhaustook to the podium, with entertainment reporter Kulhawik,his iconof Provincetown Theater histo- Ritchiespeaking of Provincetown ‘s first time in 25 years”onthe legiti- rywas Kim Hunter (subbingfor the history and unique qualities, and HumeCronyn and PRTartistic DirectorKen Hoytat the reception held matestage insteadof the theaterof otherwise engagedPatricia Neal), Schiffenhausurging the audience at theWang Center after thegala. the absurd,” and the first time a whoplayed Blanche deBois in the members tolobby forgovernment Provincetowntheater company ”had originalproduction and film version fundingfor the arts. one-woman play about poet Emily bravos andan extra curtain call. enough gumption and support to of Tennessee Williams’”aStreetcar The evening wrappedup with a Dickinson, for which she won a Kulhawik make it to Boston and land center Named Desire” (although the role remarkablestar turn by Julie Harris, Tony Award. Harris took theaudi- her closing remarks, saying, "We stage at the Shubery.” that gotthe biggesthand duringher whoperformed anextended excerpt ence on ahalf-hour emotional roller- have clearly spent tonight in the Following greetings from event introductionwas that of Dr. Zira in from ”TheBelle of Amherst,”the coaster ride,which led, inevitably,to presents of greatness.” in the driver’s seat Playwrigght’s career has hit high gear since winning Pulitzer

Hamilton Kahn ‘The Mineola Twins,” then it’s up a Brown University professor, sur- By and‘off at 6 a.m. the next morning rounded by students,” Vogel says. BANNERSTAFF “It’s so public, not only in talking with the audience and the press, but the work itself is created by many people. The day you stop Residence at the presti- writing, you’re talkingwith the di- na Theater in Washing- rector, [and] the art director. Real- ly, the creation belongs to them as to stop going to much as it belongs to you.” of ‘How I Learned to Vogel says she loves the collab says, not entirely orative process, including the fact Australia. that productions of the same play yes, and Los Angeles. come out looking very different from each other. “I know the play is working when the director educatorcurrently comes up with very different re- eave from her job sults and it works with an audi- ence,” she says. For example, she programat Brown University, expects director Ronn Smith, a life has taken, becauseI get to Vogel is a rare combination of long-time confidante, to interpret spend my days in a th and accessibility. Her work “The Mineola Twins” differently these wonderful come from a wellspring from either the recent Trinity Rep tors and directors.” of personal experience, yet her version or the upcoming Round- Briefly back in her homestate ability to connect with both the- about Theatre production in New of Rhode Island after returning ater-makers and audiences reflect York. “Every time I write some- PaulVogel’s ultimate destination is Provincetown, whereshe from the London premiere of agenuinely outgoing nature. thing, he’s one of the first to read hopes to spend timedown &? road “HILTD,” Vogel is headed here for “Forall writers, the inner world it,” she adds. ‘We talk as much in says, “probably my most comical political/cultural eras - h- Saturday’s opening of the represents consciousness and the our heads as on the phone or in play.” Written three years ago, it’s hower, Nixon and ush. Provincetown Rep productionof outer world represents social person.” the story oftwo “almost twins,” Vogel calls it the ofa her latest Manhattan-bound play, skills, not unlike the social skills of “Mineola Twins” is, Vogel spanning three distinct continuedon page40 past four decades.... I’ve said that I Vogelhas been busy teaching,first wrote it tobe Played in really bad at Cornell and, since 1985, at wigs.” Brown, where, she says, about half Originallyfrom D*C.* Vogel says her students have gone on to pro- her first brush with theater came fessionaltheater careers. from going to Broadway musicals The workload she’s been used to with her father, but it wasn’t until carrying has made it easier to cope she walked into a high school dra- with her recent success,vogel says ma class that she experiencedwhat - in fact, the pressure may have she remembers as something “simi- eased up a little. lar to falling in love.” Attending a “I’m only working 16-hour Catholic university, she tried her days, instead of 18- to 20-hour hand at acting briefly (“I was terri- days,” she says. “I feel like there’s a ble” She Says), then moved to the big demon off my back, but I’m technical side of theater and consid- still working on my playwriting, ered becoming a director before still finding my place in the the-

finding her true calling and the cre- ater.” ~ ative force behind the final product. At the moment, Vogel’s also “It was a way of not being pre- finding herself in the movies, Sent in the room and watching which she notes is a very different realm. ‘‘Playwriting doesn’t have unlimited possibilities,” she says. “Also, collaboration doesn’t exist “WhiteNight” opens for screenwriters.... It’s image- based, not dialogue-based.” Still, company’s season she says ‘I’m going to stick with it 4th for a couple of years,’’ and there To mark the opening night of its Provincetown Rep artistic director can be no doubt that the paydays fourth season as the town’s resident Ken Hoyt, Alison Crowley, M. offset whatever sacrifices are en- professional theater, the province- Lynda Robinson, Marc Wolf and tailed. town RepertoryTheatre will present John Butterfield Combined tickets where’s it all leading her? Well, for one place, to Provincetown, “A white Night’ receptionthis Sat- for the performance and reception where she visited for many years urday on the grounds of the Pilgrim (where guests are encouraged to wear white) cost $125 ($100 for the before buyinga house here not long Monument & Provincetown Muse ago. “I‘m more and more interested um. TheEvent, which includes win- reception only) and may be re- in spending more time on the ing, dining and dancing to the 16- servedby Calling “Mine- Cape,” Vogel says. “I have a five- piece band Stage Door Canteen,be- ola Twins” Continues through Au- to 10-year goal of living there all gins at 9 p.m, following an early 7 gust 2, with performances at 8 p.m. the time;’ p.m. preformance of Paula Vogel’s at the ProvincetownMuseum. ‘TheMineola Twins.”In attendance will be Vogel, director Ronn Smith, and members of the cast, including "The Mineola Twins, " kooky, caustic comic book

By Joe Dziemianowicz Golly. For two women who share the same DNA, identical twins Myrna and Myra sure don't have much in common. In fact; they are as different as left and right, flat-chested and busty, good Mineola Twins” - the kooky, caustic livecomic by the Provincetown Repertory' Company and Museum through August 2 - points

“Twins” begins in the 50s. Myrna, a 17-year-old hopeful for a Homemak- ers ofAmerica Award, is determined to stay pure until she weds her boy- Friend, Jim. considering that she's got a bod for sin and an eager-to-please nature, that's not easy. On the other hand, Myra is nothing-if not easy. Achingly restless from living in a town so dull Communists wouldn't even bother bombing it, this bad-to-the-bone gal's got no intention of saving herself for anything - or anybody. She's scored touchdowns with the entire football team, been repeatedly pinned by wrestlers and even let loose on the links with the golf team. It probably comes as no surprise, then, that Myrna and Myra have major hate-ons for each other. So much so, each dreams (four nightmares are relived during the play) of having the other go kablooey in an explosion or totally nuts in a mental meltdown. Ironically enough, however, the more the twins do to separate themselves from each other, the more they find their lives irrevocably entwined as the play bobs and weaves through four decades worth of politics, sexuality (homo and hetero), social mores and much, much (maybe too much) more. Like the clever rotating set by Van Santvoord, questions that emerge by the end of the play about who's good, who's bad, and, well, who's who will have your head spinning. However, there's no question that Alison Crowley -under the direction of Ronn Smith, who deserves kudos for keeping the action moving at a breakneck pace - is doubly delicious in the title roles. whether she's playing a twentysomething Myra as a pot-smoking bank robber on the lam from the law or a fortysomethingMyrna as an ultraconservative radio shock jock, Crowley's performance is filled with a physical and emotional abandonment that is brain-dizzying, dazzlingly disarming and downright hilarious. While "Twins" other actors also carry off double duty, they have far less to, do than Crowley. In spite of the Huh?-Factor inher- Meanwhile Ken Hoyt,PRT artisticdirector, shines January at the RoundaboutTheater, according to entin Casting a woman as a man (monkeying around as Myrna’s son Kenny and Myra's sonBenjamin, two a recent story in “Variety.” In that interview, it with what it means to be male or female? a “Yentl” boys, who, perhaps unsurprisingly in the context of was mentioned that Vogel, who won a Pulitzer fetished?), M. Lynda Robinson gives a good perfor- the play, prefer the worldview - as well as the Prize (and numerousother awards) for 'How I mance as Myrna's beau, Jim. Robinson's comfort company - of their aunt to that of their mother. Learned To Drive," is well aware that great Level -and believability -get a big boost when she It's worth mentioning that "The Mineola Twins" expectations await her next work. shows up later as Myra's lesbian lover, Sarah. is Broadway bound. A production is planned for That said, it's also worth mentioning that Twins" was written before "Drive." 'I'm now hoping people will allow me to rewind the tape,* said Vogel in that story. “With ‘Mineola Twins, I'm not doing 'Long Day’s Journey Into Night’. I'm doing 'Ah. Windernees!" Ah. While much of “The Mineola Twins” in on target and terrifically funny,some scenes seem superfluous. For instance, there's an ongoing gag about shock therapy (why is that funny?) and a too-long, ultimately unproductive spiel about sperm. In the end, 'The Mineola Twins” could benefit if someof the tape -just some, mind you - was erased ics our country son. Crowley has the comedic tim- values he supposedly stands for, through in four ing of a well-crafted pipe bomb, but in Act Two, as Benjamin, the it’s not surprising Vo- causing each of her lines to deto- buttoned-down son of Myra, he, up and their lives become gel would have some difficulty get- nate at exactly the precise moment. too, performs with such ease, it’s as interwoven even as they ting through all of them, and 0th- Even when the direction of the if the wig he donned script causes disorientation, she weighed him down, her occasional provides a steady enough touch to Director Ronn Smith seems sledgehammer-heavy remarks on make the voyage enjoyable. have placed a majority of attention some topics is Vogel’s satiric edge, Crowley is a hard act to match upon Crowley, which pays off , thankfully, she has not on stage and her fellow actors fall handsome rewards. Smith seems a in the borders h as “Women are below her high water mark. Robin- little less sure of where to lead way they are, but men be- son, a woman, plays Jim, a man, to Robinson and Hoyt at first, and o they are” are nice little mediocre success. Having a they appear unprepared until the woman play a moment their respective roles man creates a change. Smith keeps the show wealth of op- moving at a good clip, however, portunities to and has the actors utilize space in comment about an optimum manner, a space beau- gender, but tifully designed by Van Santvoord. Robinson does Santvoord’s work compliments the n our concept of not always take advantage. Her fine work of sound designer John- Myra, who tells a “maleness” is defined more by her na Doty. ck during her stint in sex clothes than her manner, as if she’s “The Mineola Twins” bills itself

and lengths of hair that have

It becomes apparent, through her Vogel has put a lot into “The sented at 8 p.m. Tues.-Sun through counterculture Kenny, looks the five decades, SO too have the Mineola Twins,” and, at times, it Aug. 2 at the Pilgrim Monument part, but also seems uncomfortable moral. sexual and political land- may be too much. The first act it- and Provincetown Museum. As ev- in that role. His body looks tightly scapes of the country. It stands to selfdeals with nuclear war, chasti- idenced by the opening night per- wound, even though his words reason that even the best hairdress- y, prostitution, Jack Kerouac, formance, Crowley is nothing short speak of how loose he is. In scenes er in town would have a hard time communism the Vietnam war, of terrific. Essentially,the show re- with Crowley as his mother Myrna, moving from a bouffant to a shag marijuana,free love and electric sides upon her shoulders, and she her uppity nature is more free- to a page boy to a bob without get- shock therapy, to name but a few, has no trouble carrying the weight. wheeling than the open-minded ting a few hairs out of place. Act Twoconsiders the after-effects Her interpretations of Myra and of these issues only briefly, giving Myrna are similar enough to be itselffrom to take up homosexual- slightly confusing - as can be the ty, the rise of fundamental Chris- case when both twins are known, At first glance, they seem to be ianity, talk radio, feminism, capi- but only one is seen - yet distinct nothing more than the proverbial alism and abortion. That’s a long enough to make each her own per- -&‘ WN BANNER AUGUST 20, 1998 “AnotherAmericn” offers compellingtales ofthe untold By Susan Grilli In the Provincetown Repertory court-mandated to return to her po- murdered by his Navy oolleagues Theatre’s world premiere produc- sition and rank. We meet a lesbian shortly before his discharge from tion of ‘Another American: Asking nurse who describes her work with service. Mrs. Schindler is today one and Telling,” actor-author Marc the injured and dying in Vietnam, of the most sought-out speakers on Wolf attempts to refocus the spot- and others whose ruthless sincerity gay rights issues. light on what he considers the ne- contribute to the powerful message Heroes like Mary Alice and Mrs. glected issue of Article 31 of the in this piece. Schindlerare pictures of thehuman Uniform Code of Military Justice Three narratives stand out from being’s will to survive. They‘ve -commonly known as the “don’t the rest, however, and it is out of the chosen to play against the worst sor- ask, don’t tell” clause. The solo stories of these individuals that the row by raising their voice or deco- work is lifted verbatim from inter- work goes beyond a litany of vic- rating a bunker. Injustice is not views with those whose lives have timization at the hands of the mili- unique in its attack on sexual Orien- been directly affected bythe issue of tary, tation. Betrayal whetherit be famil- gays and straights serving together The first of these is the story of ial or governmental is an age old in Brandon, whoas achild, cried when theme. When a theatrical piece The production open with a pre- he realized that ”Mickey the Pe- works-when-itis Playwright-actorMarc Wolf shows the human cost exacted by the show tape of an elementary class- dophile” was going to be beaten to a because it plays againstthe obvious. military’santi-gay attitudes in ”AnotherAmerican.” room recitationof The Pledge of Al- pulp for buying him a slice of pizza, It becomes the hero. Demenkoff, a job legiance military service ballads. the second outstanding narrativeis On the whole, the production does fine with UnitedStates and a rendition of ”ThisLand is My that of a male soldier. who went by seems to evoke the responsethe au- thiswork His ability tostreamline Wolf has been given gifts from Land,’which leads into anopening the name Mary Alice. You could thorintends. Wolf the actor, who has movementand capture each transi- hissubjects buthe has been given a dialogue between an older couple easily observe the audience’srelief previously appeared with the tion ingesture and sound the superb- responsibility as well thatneeds to wavering in their decision to “tell.” when Mary Alice humorously de- Provincetown Repertory Theatre as The set design created by Jeffrey S. be met, to go beyond the specifics Next we meet a young gay service- scribed his combat experiences - Carl in “Lonely Planet” and Ben- Davis is very succinct and invokes and find the commonality- , character revelation essentialto any play man who is giving Wolfa tour of his his comic relief is also indicative of jamin in Albee’s one-act play a cold and militaristic image ofthe and - base, followed by Wolf as himself an indomitable spirit because Mary “Sand,” has been diligent in his as he shortcuts through standard Alice plays against the stench of study ofhis character’sphysical nu- theatrical revelation by explaining war and the vulgarities of govern- ance, speech, and reginal af€ecta- what, why, and a bit of who we are ment without losing effectiveness. tions and carries off most roles ef- aboutto meet the third subject is found in the fectively. Particularly well done are As the evening moves on, the second act, which as a whole is Brandon and Mary Alice, and a audience is confronted with a del- more cohesive and fluid than the lovely moment between the two uge of the heartbreaking* g narratives first Here we listen to the sorrow of “‘down on the farmers” in the sec- of the abhorrentactivities ofthe mil- the mother of Alan Schindler, who ond act itary in regard to sexual orientarion. was beaten beyond recognition and Wolf‘s director/developer, Tom We meet a young serviceman who refusedto betray hiscolleagues, was subsequently imprisoned and while imprisoned setup in asituation in which he was beatenand raped by a person infected with the AIDS virus. We meet a woman, who, fol- lowing a dismissal based on sexual IWHAT “Another American: American’ Asking & Telling” quiet. Don’t let someone else make IPRESENTED BY decisions for your community,” he Provincetown Repertory says at the beginning of the play. powerful Theatre Wolf clearly sympathizes with Iwritten AND the gay men and women. But he PERFORMED BY Marc Wolf also respects the likes of David statement Hackworth, a decorated Vietnam DIRECTED BY Tom By K.C. MYERS Demenkoff veteran who speaks against the STAFF WRITER war and who also opposes gay peo- PROVINCETOWN - “It was hot, I WHEN: 8 p.m. shows ple in the military. mean hot,” shrieks a man nick- throughAug*30 Hackworth discussed P.F.C. named “Mary Alice” by his fellow WHERE: Provincetown Ganna, an 18-year-old who was soldiers during Vietnam. Pilgrim Monument & always beaten by other squad Mary Alice cut off his camouflage Provincetown Museum, High members. Pole Hill Road fatigues as high as they could go. It turns out that he was having He also decorated the tents, adding TICKETS: $17 oral sex with every guy in the “a little ‘fancy sis’ touch to the squad, Hackworth relates. “The bunker.” IRESERVATIONS: 487-5600 conflict was, they got it on with This soldier may be comically Ganna and then they felt guilty and affected, but one cannot deny what beat up on him. . . . Gays are bad because it broke up my squad.” This is a play about politics, but Wolf wastes no time preaching. His body and voice become an instru- ment through which an orchestra of human voices emerges. There is the man who went to prison, where he was raped by an HIV-positive inmate because he did not turn in other gay enlisted men. Meet Professor Charles Moskos, the military sociologist who devel- oped the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. “My argument,” he says between fingerfuls of Mexican food, “is. in a way, two cheers for hypocrisy.” The most incredible character of all is the mother of AllenSchindler, who relates through tears how her son was beaten to death, beyond recognition, by his fellow men on a Navy ship because he was gay. This play is as powerful as it is important. You may decide not to see it because you think it’s not about you. because you’re not gay. But the message you’ll come away with will be much different: Politics is personal. This country is not always fair. But then again, many war veter- ans already know that. be carried almost entirely of little interest. Rather than en- s shoulders. hance the on-stage monologue, Women sought for play auditions he’s hearing or just zoning out aps things might go better they wind up being more of a dis- Auditions will be held for a is necessary. Two perfor- repetitive images, .such e images of the Clerk’s traction, and not the illuminating lesbian play by Jane Chambers mances will be held over lapping against a pier. The - thoughts had more presence of and, one suspects, darkly whimsi- entitled “Last Summer at Blue Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. ment, such as it is, comes when their own, but Hugh Moms’s cal one 0 ‘Neill envisioned. Fish Cove.” Eight women in an 28-29. Erie realizes that this new Clerk can crudely filmed black-and-white vi- Van Santvoord’s set is the best age range of 25 to 40 years are For time and place of audi- be just as much of a good luck gnettes, alas, are either too obvious part of this show, whose technical needed. No acting experience tion call Dakota at 349-3471. charm, and needed companion, as or incomprehensible. There are components - lights, sound, on a shoestring budget. etinformation and resevationscall

Because the film must stat and , would be unlikely to draw stop in response to specific cues many respondents. But for New from the actors, “Hughie” which York-based filmmaker Hugh Mor- runs a scant 55 minuteS, has turned ris, the job of creating an original into what Monis cheerfully de- 2o-minute black-and-whitefilm for scribed as a “technical monster.” Morris says. “It was an intensting most of his small budget by taking the ProvincetownRepertory The- Adding to the logistical difficulty is enough project for me to take a advantage of his set-paintingjob at atre production of Eugene the theater’s small size, which ne- backseat. I Iwould have specific im- the Publick Theater m New York. ONeill’s one-act play, “Hughie,” cessitated having the video and ages. I tend to think in images. I where the company and costume was almost perfectly suited to his slide projection equipment back- wouldgive her a call and say right room were routinely raided for pallicularskills. stage, away from the other techni- here I would like to have this, and shoots on the city streets; no less “I grew up backstage, and on- cal controls(lights sound. she would say that’s a little too than 14 actors appear in the film. stage as well,” Moms says, taking ‘Wit were a film Without the much forme,maybe tone it down a The PRThas been able to make the a break between technical run- human element,it would be fine. It’s little bit” most of its friendy relationship through last week “My father was really like another actor in this case,” Because of the power of film with New York University (where a director-actor-designerand my Morris says. “Ifnothing else, people and the dominance of a large video set designer Santvoord w motherwas an actress and a singer, will walk away from this and say, screen on the small stage, Morris borrow state-of-the-art video which is kind of interesting in Illi- ’That was interesting.”’ says he had to work to avoid having nois We were just about the only Morris. who says his all-time fa- hispart of the projectbecome dom- pesin town. I didn’t go to school vorite silent movie is Keaton’s inant. “It can’t be so dynamic that it to study film, I’ve basically been ‘The General” is putting the finish- pulls away from the text, which is a working ing touches on his first feature- little tricky,”he says. aspects of the. theater, since I was a length silent film, “Beloved Cab- Moms was able to make the “Itsjust perfect.” child I was always drawn to silent bage,” which he hopes to have out film, in particular. I don’t know in. Europe and/or making the what it ,was, there was something rounds at film festivalsin the not- very primal about the black-and- so-distant future “Ilike directing images.” and I like having control of all the whiteHughie, which is set in 1928 different aspects.” he saya - and was never performed during therein lies the rub of the “Hughie’’ Neill’s lifetime, is problematic Project: Morris must moldhis artis- use much of the action takes tic Vision not only in response to Ein the thoughts O’Neill’s directives but he also erEric (Steven Goldstein), who is must defer to the wishes ofdirector alking to a hotel night clerk lauraJosepher, who hasoveralll re- Robert T. Dillon)