'A Few Good Men' has many good performances

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By LARRY L. KUBERT / Lincoln Journal Star

It is a pretty safe assumption that there will be some dramatic trial scenes as Judge Advocate General lawyers confront the United States Marine Corp in Aaron Sorkin’s play “A Few Good Men.”

But what the drama — currently being staged by the Lincoln Community Playhouse — really deals with is the duel between two conflicting moral ideals.

As the inspiration for the early 1990s film of the same name, the plot for the theatrical “A Few Good Men” centers around a pair of Marines charged with killing one of their fellow soldiers.

A rather dysfunctional team of three attorneys — Lt. J.g. Daniel A. Kaffee (Ryan Kathman), Lt. J.g. Sam Weinberg (Daniel Gilbert) and Lt. Comdr. JoAnne Galloway (Jenny Kathman) — end up defending the pair.

But the defense has a difficult time agreeing upon whether to work a deal with the prosecution or go to trial.

Meanwhile, Lance Cpl. Howard Dawson (Jeff Nelson) and Pfc. Loudon Downey (Lucius Hageman) are content to accept punishment to uphold their perception of the Marines’ code of ethics.

The 2½-hour drama — directed by Jason Weixelman — has its moments.  And certainly the last half of the second act satisfies those waiting for the courtroom intensity.

But what playwright Sorkin handles relatively deftly is the comparison and contrast, the similarities and differences, between the rigid, unflinching canon of honor, service and trust to a military leader and the  confidence in, and duty to pursue, the possible truth.

Ryan Kathman does an admirable job of slowly bringing along his characterization of Kaffee — a man haunted by his illustrious attorney father and his own feelings of inadequacy.

He aptly plays his character’s self-deprecation with a loose informality.  But as Kaffee’s dedication to the law becomes more visible, the actor smoothly and with polish delivers the confidence and assurance that transforms the character.

There is plenty of assistance from the rest of the cast. Gilbert demonstrates fine stage presence and character growth as Kaffee’s friend and assistant Weinberg.

Veterans Steve Chandler as Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep — who orders the disciplinary action that results in the soldier’s death — and Eric Ojeda as Lt. Jonathan Kendrick, the religious zealot who makes sure that the discipline is carried out — are solid and consistent throughout.  

But, while not laden with lots of dialogue, Nelson and Hageman as the two accused killers, Dawson and Downey, provide exemplary support with performances that demonstrate fine character analysis and execution.

Unfortunately, Jenny Kathman in the rather pivotal role of Galloway, who interjects herself onto the defense team, displays little depth or development in her role.

Certainly Galloway is snippy and aggravating, but the character is also driven by idealism and integrity.  

However, actress Kathman never conveys any stable or believable reason for her character’s actions, often simply coming across as irritating and distracting.

The drama’s plot is advanced in real time and flashbacks, which are strongly signaled by stark lighting from Scott Engel.

But Engel doesn’t fare nearly as well with all of his set design.  

A variety of platformed playing areas divide the play’s locales and allow the actors variation.

However, Engel’s ragtag and badly patched backstage flat does little to enhance the show’s mood.  Disturbingly painted in

an argylelike pattern in khaki tones, it just doesn’t convey the sobriety or seriousness that the production deserves.

“A Few Good Men” has more than a few good performances in it, and deserves appreciation for such.