“Ghosts of War” running in rep with “Letters From Home” reviewed by Jeffrey Leibham

[rating=4]Griffin Theatre Company’s “Ghosts of War” is based on Ryan Smithson’s novel, or rather memoir, of the same name which has been adapted for the stage by Griffin’s Artistic Director William Massolia. The show, which features Sam Krey as Ryan Smithson, has been on tour since last autumn and now receives its Chicago premiere in a gripping and very well-acted production at The Den Theatre.

Smithson, like millions of other teenagers and young adults, was in a classroom when he first heard of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Only 16 at the time, he instantly wanted to do something to help his country’s cause but was too young to enlist in the U.S. military. So he prevailed with becoming the best wrestler that he could be on his upstate New York high school team and spent time with his girlfriend Heather. The following year he traveled to Manhattan to visit Ground Zero. Upon seeing all of the photographs of the people who lost their lives posted on a barricade wall he knew that he needed to act. Feeling that he himself was trapped in that wall he decided to join the Army Reserve at the age of 17. Quickly describing his experiences in basic training, which allows Krey to frequently impersonate a gruff drill instructor, it is not long before Smithson is deployed to Iraq. It is there that he served with the Army Corps of Engineers from 2004 to 2005, at the age of 19. Smithson is quick to point out that he was in Iraq to help build things, not destroy them. His main tasks were the construction and repair of roads and the fortification of bases. While Abu Ghraib and PTSD both are covered in this show it really is much more focused than that. With themes of nationalist responsibility, duty, patriotism and diplomatic accountablility this play is so powerful and relevant because it is so very universal in what it conveys regarding all human beings’ inherent civil rights. Early on in his young life Smithson realized that literature offered him an escape from the hell that surrounded him in the Army. He read extensively during the one year term that he served and upon his arrival back in the U.S. he was encouraged by many people close to him to write down his experiences as a form of rehabilitative therapy. The resulting memoir is a harrowing but brilliant account of the life of  a contemporary soldier.

Sam Krey is absolutely dazzling in his solo performance as Smithson. Under Jason Gerace’s intelligent direction he finds both lightly comic and deeply poignant moments in a finely balanced script. So engaging is Krey’s portayal that your attention will not stray once during the entire 70 minute duration. Krey is skillfully supported by the striking original sound design of Stephen Ptacek and Michael Stanfill’s magnificent projections.

“Ghosts of War” is presented in a rotating repertory with Griffin Theatre Company’s “Letters Home,” which is a companion piece that explores numerous soldier’s experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. The show runs 70 minutes with no intermission.

—————————————————

Tickets are $30 single show, $50 for both shows (when purchased together).  Students, seniors and veterans $27. Group discounts are available for groups of ten or more. Tickets are currently available at http://www.griffintheatre.comor by calling (773) 697-3830.

The Den Theatre (Stage 2B) is located at 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago.

“Ghosts of War” Performance Schedule:

Friday, April 20 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 22 at 2:00 PM

Monday, April 23 at 7:30 PM

Friday, April 27 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 28 at 4:00 PM

Sunday, April 29 at 2:00 PM

Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 PM

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Ghosts of War”