Published: July 28, 2009 09:58 am      

CAST’s ‘Biloxi Blues’ has lessons for many

Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” is the story of six soldiers during World War II and their crazy-but-lovable (?) drill sergeant. It’s written from the perspective of Eugene M Jerome — a burgeoning writer and Simon’s autobiographical lead.

Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s veteran actress Jalayne Riewerts directs this latest offering to our community…military-style. The program includes her open letter with a short synopsis of the play and a sprinkling of her thoughts on its themes.

Jalayne is a local favorite I have only seen perform once in last year’s Follies. With one song, she brought the house down. In fact, I get the impression the only drawback to Riewerts taking on the role of director this time around is her absence from the stage.

Well, she’s got guts. Although this story takes place over 60 years ago, the subject matter throughout is an exploration of the toughest issues today: race, religion and sexual orientation.

And subtle, it isn’t. The language and situations are IN YOUR FACE with wit and humor. The feel is very male, very loud, and very funny.

Drew Simendinger plays the lead and he handles the huge amount of dialogue very well. He can readily put on the most innocent and naïve face I’ve ever seen.

Rob Engelson does a great Sgt. Toomey and has the most difficult role to play. He’s believable as the irascible foul-mouthed leader who resents them all.

Joshua Sohn amazes us once again in yet another role. As Arnold B. Epstein — a military malcontent with digestive issues, Sohn is very impressive this season and embodies every character he plays with a chameleon-like dexterity.

I was also very impressed with Nick Divarko who played Roy W. Selridge. I forgot he was acting; the best compliment I can give.

By the end of the play, I felt like I knew all the characters: Wykowski (Alex Fenzel), Carney (Dale Hawes), and Hennesey (Kris Doss). Claire Barnhart and Kate Hennies played their small roles with perfection and grace.

This is a great story about vastly different people being thrown together against their will. Forced to become a family, they must depend on each other for their very lives. It’s real. It’s honest.

It’s also definitely not an appropriate production for everybody.

This is best suited for those who remember the bad ol’ days. Because even though it’s full of the worst of our fairly-recent past behaviors — it’s still a trip down memory lane. My dad talked like that and a lot of dads did. Now I know why.

In my honest opinion, this is not the type of community theatre show for a child under 14 to see. Possibly, a mature young teenager might be ready but there would some guaranteed awkward moments.

Be prepared to define some language that cannot be explained easily, believe me! These are words that we really don’t hear much anymore. Even my adult children in their thirties wouldn’t understand most of the terminology.

So, get ready to explain the open bigotry displayed and how society condoned it in the past. Plus EVERY aspect of human sexuality along with how it was viewed in the 40s. Oh and don’t forget the military draft and its requisite dehumanizing training camp.

It’s an opportunity for a teaching moment…but don’t say I didn't warn you.

For a community theatre in a city of our size, it would seem logical to offer the type of shows more people could attend and enjoy…the classics. First, get the community in the palm of your hands by giving them what they know and appreciate. Get them in the habit of seeing all your shows and encourage them to return with friends and visitors.

Then throw in the depressing stories of sweet love affairs gone sour and shock us with racially and sexually charged “lesson” productions that teach us to change our ways.

But please keep it to one of those per season, OK?

Here's what you need to know to see a great show for mature audiences:

Tickets for “Biloxi Blues” can be purchased at the Clinton Showboat Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or online at www.clintonshowboat.org. Tickets are $18 for adults. Showtimes are 7:30 Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday.



Jami Smith is our local theater reviewer and a sales representative at the Clinton Herald. She can be contacted at jamirsmith@clintonherald.com