The Flying Fig Theater's latest production of Shiloh Rules offers up some interesting twists and insights on the American Civil War as it is thrown out of history books and into the audiences' lap. Set in modern day, Shiloh Returns focuses on five women preparing for the reenactment battle of Shiloh, one of the Civil War's bloodiest engagements.
Already fully developed into 19th century character, five women participating in the battle are anxious to get the festivities underway. However, their overzealous attitude keeps them in the park after it has officially closed on the eve before the reenactment and lands them in trouble with the Park Ranger Wilson played by Samarra. Ranger Wilson's attempt at removing these women from the park grounds until 8 AM the next morning sets off a series of events, both comical and socially relevant, as what seems to be a simple matter quickly grows out of hand. Ranger Wilson is forced to rationalize with women who are not breaking character, but who instead perfectly embody both the physical appearance and mindset of Northern and Southern women during the Civil War. Through comedic elements, social commentary is brought to center stage, although sometimes not in the most subtle of ways, but nonetheless forcing the question - have issues of the Civil War truly gone away or is today's society facing the same problems simply disguised in new packaging?
The Battle of Shiloh, or rather the reenactment of the Battle of Shiloh, is seen through the eyes of Northern and Southern women, offering a fresh perspective of the Civil War from the women who participated in it. Nurses Clara May Abbot and Meg Barton (Kate Weiman and Janine Kyanko respectively) represent the Northern will and determination to fight for a worthy cause and are women prepared to support their men out on the field. Southerners Lucy Gale Scruggs and Cecelia DeLaunay Pettison (Judi Lewis Ockler and Cordis Heard respectively) embody the same determination as Lucy Gale fights on the field in uniform and Mrs. Pettison barks orders and speaks vehemently about the ruin of the Old South. While the issues that these women bring up hold both historic and present day value, the audience can't help but laugh when these two ideals happen to mix together like oil and vinegar. Meg Barton, a young nurse in training is often corrected by Clara May Abbot for using terms like "awesome" and "Subaru" in place of "thrilling" and "wagon." The delicate balance of historic reenactment and modern day life is executed with care providing a production that somehow enables the audience to simultaneously see the theme in two fashions - separated and intertwined with each other.
In addition to seeing a production with a unique storyline, the audience is also treated to a true "ensemble" performance. All six characters seamlessly feed off each other providing exceptional acting and another interesting paradigm. The six women, in "real-real life" including Gwen Eyster as the "neutral" Widow Beckwith, are actresses who may or may not have worked with each other in the past. However, they join the cast for Shiloh Rules to play women who in their everyday life do not know each other as intimately as they do the characters they play. The five women know that they are "hard-core" Civil War reenactment buffs, yet no one knows anyone outside this specific realm. They refer to each other in their Civil War names and delve so far into this mindset that they can not produce modern day answers to any questions that Ranger Wilson asks. Yet somehow in this mismatch of knowing people but not knowing people, Shiloh Rules still provides a powerful and solid acting performance. All cast members deserve an extra round of applause for effortlessly commanding this paradoxical situation as well as Michaela Goldhaber excellence in directing her cast.
A little comedy, a little history and a lot of satire make Shiloh Rules a performance for all. It manages to touch on social issues still facing America without getting too heavy handed and remaining enjoyable and entertaining. In a play that could have easily gone off the deep handle in its theme, Shiloh Rules stays non-offensive and fun while still making its point. Shiloh Rules is playing at the Gene Frankel Theatre at 24 Bond Street through April 9. Please call 212-868-4444 or visit www.SmartTix.com for tickets. For more information, please visit www.flyingfig.org.
