‘A Few Good Men’ takes the NCT stage this weekend

With a medium-sized cast, Newton Community Theatre has assembled a few great men and one great woman to bring to the stage this story of one team’s quest for the truth and one team’s vehement attempt to cover it up.

From the outset, it is obvious the players in this pressure cooker went to great pains to transform themselves from citizens to soldiers. The prologue is delivered with military precision and exactness from our suspects Lance Cpl Harold W. Dawnson, expertly portrayed by Gabe Pavlik, and PFC Louden Downey, brought to perfect life by Dallas Schaeffer. They are accused of the murder of PFC William T. Santiago, played by Alex Burkett. Burkett’s performance makes this soldier’s ongoing plight leading up to his death instantly known to and felt by the audience.

The two suspects’ only hope is a defense team comprised of wisecracking but very intelligent Lt. J. G. Daniel Kaffee, flawlessly executed by Troy Gould, the ever-diligent Lt. J. G. Sam Weinberg, brought to perfection by Zach Bey, and Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway, played by Adrianne Fazel, whose characterization and delivery is as sharp, crisp and on point as her perfectly pressed uniform.

These three face a very worthy opponent, Lt. Jack Ross, where a perfect fit was attained in the casting of Jeff Carter. Carter’s character is a good man whom you begin to dislike immensely as, during the investigation, there are puzzle pieces which do not seem to fit with the story being received by the defense. There appears to be a cover up. Enter Capt Matthew A. Markinson, whom Kent Leckband portrays effortlessly, Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick, whose face and heart appear to have been cast in stone, is amazingly and faultlessly brought to life by Will Edgar, and the ultimate antagonist Col. Nathan Jessep, rendered beautifully by Spencer Ver Meer.

As the pieces fall into place, the defense team loses their star witness but continues to wage an all-out war against the top brass in the Marine Corps, culminating in the famous courtroom scene. As both prosecution and defense fight to prove their case, the pressure builds to such a fury that characters are talking over one another, which adds a fantastic layer of reality. As the final bomb is dropped, Ver Meer’s performance in the climactic scene has all the zeal and venom of the famous scene in the film, which I’m sure would have a certain Hollywood actor giving his kudos as well.

This performance will keep you on the edge of your seat not only because of the storyline but also because it has been orchestrated amazingly by directors John Dougan and Shawn Pavlik, with military advisor Scott Schaeffer making sure our soldiers are believable and realistic. All have succeeded in their respective roles beyond expectations!

Do your duty and attend this wonderful show. You won’t be sorry, and that is the truth ... can you handle it? Tickets are available at the door or by calling the box office at 641-792-1230. Ticket price is $12 and youth $10 (Mature Audience-Strong Language). Production dates: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and May 24, 25 and 26 and at 2 p.m. Sunday.