Courtroom Drama Held Over in Stamford

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, AARON SORKIN'S MASTERPIECE IS EXTENDED IN STAMFORD

Can you handle the truth? The truth is that since the first three weeks of Curtain Call's production of A Few Good Men are completely sold out, new performances at the Dressing Room Theatre, Newfield Avenue, Stamford have been added on March 28 and 29.

A Few Good Men was an award-winning Broadway play written by then 28-year-old Aaron Sorkin before it was popularized when Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore took the world by storm in the 1992 film version of the same name.

This Broadway hit was based in part on the true story of Private First Class (PFC) William Alvarado, a marine stationed at Guantanamo Bay. Alvarado wrote to his Senator, alleging marine misconduct at the naval base, specifically the illegal firing of weapons into Cuban territory. The story of Alvarado’s near-death hazing at the hands of fellow marines – and the eventual investigation - came to Sorkin by way of his sister, Deborah, a member of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps who represented some of the marines implicated in the hazing.

The play focuses on the trial of two Marines for complicity in the death of a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay sizzles on stage. The Navy lawyer, a callow young man more interested in softball games than the case, expects a plea bargain and a cover-up of what really happened. Prodded by a female member of his defense team, the lawyer eventually makes a valiant effort to defend his clients and, in so doing, puts the military mentality and the Marine code of honor on trial.

“I have been a huge fan of the play since seeing the show when it first opened in New York,” said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call executive director and producer of this show. “We presented this show 21 years ago and I have wanted to work on it again for a while, so I’m really excited about seeing the show come to life again nearly 40 years after the original event.” "I'm thrilled that audiences at our opening weekend were so incredibly complimentary - all having loved the production," Ursone added.

The play’s director, Debra Lee Failla, said, “Directing A Few Good Men has been both an incredible honor and an exciting challenge. Aaron Sorkin’s writing is known for its razor-sharp dialogue, gripping drama, and moments of unexpected humor, and finding the perfect balance between those elements has been a rewarding journey.” Failla has directed some of Curtain Call’s most successful productions of the past 25 years. Ursone selected her specifically for this project based on the respect he has for her work.

Many of the 17 members of the cast are appearing at Curtain Call for the first time, including: Austin Carnes, Charlie Harper, Dean Kapica, Charlie Scatamacchia, Hunter Smith and Cameron Tyler. Others in the cast include: Adam Bloom, Danny Charest, Robert Failla, James Hobayan, Eric Marquez, Jim Muthersbaugh, Paul Naclerio, Chris Nardi, Ethan Parsons, Rachel Rosado and Seth von Schmidt.

“One of the most gratifying aspects of this process has been watching the actors fully embody their roles and make these characters their own,” said Failla. “They’ve brought new dimensions to the script, finding nuances that make the performances feel fresh and immediate,” she added. Failla praised the cast for their dedication, adding “I can’t wait for audiences to experience this production—it’s been an incredible process, and I know it will be an unforgettable ride.” Joining Failla and Ursone on the production team are Peter Barbieri, Jr. – set design, Tom Gordon – costume design, Jamie LaJoie – lighting design, Katie Carriero – stage manager and Carol Foley – assistant stage manager.

Performances will be held in The Dressing Room Theatre at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT, through March 29, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm. Seating is cabaret-style with a Bring Your Own Everything picnic format. Doors open one hour before show time.

Tickets are available online at CurtainCallinc.com or by calling the Box Office at 203-461-6358. There is plentiful on-site parking and two restaurant partners: The Royal Green Restaurant and The Stillery. (Call for special restaurant offers at 203-998-7225.) Shows following A Few Good Men include Anything Goes, A Jukebox for the Algonquin and The SpongeBob Musical.

Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP ten years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of the Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar “BEST OF” awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 through 2023. Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County in 2016.

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PHOTOS:

The cast of Curtain Call's A FEW GOOD MEN, playing in The Dressing Room Theatre, Stamford, through March 29.