TO THE BATTLEFIELD AGAIN // A THEATRE REVIEW OF "ROW AFTER ROW"
Every year at Gettysburg, thousands of actors gather in full on 1863 military replica uniforms and re-enact the battle of Gettysburg for their enjoyment. It has become many people's way of life, something they look forward to each and every year. What drives them to do this, re-enacting a terrible battle that happened so many years ago? Writer Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project) explores those notions compellingly in the new play ROW AFTER ROW, currently playing at Women's Project.
Tom (Erik Lochtefeld) and Cal (PJ Sosko) are two lifelong buddies who gather every year at the Gettysburg re-enactment. This year, as always, they head to their favorite table at their favorite bar to unwind after the battle but someone unfamiliar sits at their table. Her name is Leah (Rosie Benton) who also just participated in the re-enactment. Cal is immediately angered at the sight of Leah. Not only is she at "their" table but she's not wearing the correct uniform, has a nosering, and is (worst of all) a woman trying to play soldier in a Man's battle. Cal is a stickler for authenticity and immediately begins to grill Leah, and so begins a sparring between the three in topics that range from the accuracy of re-anactments to men/women politics, their own personal histories, and their own standstill presents.
Dickey, along with Director Daniella Topol, have crafted a real fine piece of work here. The dialogue is crisp and zings right along and the direction, which switches from present day to the Civil War re-enactment, is beautifully done. Dickey has a true flair for comedy, as the modern scenes show, and even if the re-enactments slow down a bit, it doesn't pull the show off course; it chugs along like lighting often with their three person rat-a-tat-tat and then stops to catch its breath with beautiful dramatic moments in the fields of Gettysburg. Playing Leah, Rosie Benton (recently of Broadway's StickFly) is truly wonderful. Her comic timing is superb and she truly brings you inside the conflicting emotions of this young woman who stuck her finger on a map and ended up in Gettysburg. PJ Sosko is just as dynamic, strattling the line of jerk and lost soul perfectly. You want him to open up just as much as you want him to shape up. Rounding out the cast with a gentle soul and soft heart is Erik Lochtefeld. His Tom is kind and unsure, and Lochtefeld showcases his emotional journey of deserter to somewhere beyond with grace and care.
Women's Project (now located at NY City Center) had a very strong season the last two years (Allison Moore's Collapse being the only true misfire) and starts of 2014 with even more strength. If Row After Row is an example of what's to come this year, consider me hooked. Both to Women's Project's upcoming season AND the lovely work of Ms. Dickey.
Written By Jessica Dickey Directed By Daniella Topol Starring Rosie benton, Erik Lochtefeld, PJ Sosko Closes on February 16th at Women's Project located at NY City Center Stage II (131 West 55th Street, NYC)
Mateo’s Grade: A
Bottom Line: Engrossing, laugh out loud funny, and touching, Row After Row is truly a pleasant surprise for a cold winter evening.