THE PLAY: This project worked with 4 veterans to create short plays that reflect their experiences in the military.

THE PRODUCTION: A strong ensemble anchors these productions with a different director for each play.

Guardian Angels (Robert Waldruff)
Director Foster Solomon throws us right into combat that effectively conveys the situation’s chaos. This develops into more artistic moments that substitute some of that initial power for more dramatic imagery.

Soar (Rachel Landsee)
A woman faces changes in her career and her marriage with Irene Kuykendall effectively capturing her character’s dilemmas. During her speeches, soldiers move around the stage singing military call and response chants. Director Kerrigan Sullivan has surrounded this personal drama with lots of flourish, which, while creative, sometimes distracts from the drama’s focus.

Bonne Année (David M. Aldridge)
Jonathan Hardison plays a Vietnam vet who’s haunted by an inner voice. Director Joel Bassin staged this in a detached artistic style with an unhurried pace. These long pauses diffused the quiet intensity that the story intended.

Skyline (Chuck Williamson)
There’s actually some humor in this most traditional approach. A group of soldiers goes on a convoy outside Baghdad, but their jaunty interactions are enjoyable with Erik DeMario creating a fun personality. Director Todd Labelle has allowed the camaraderie to shine thru.

Dasia Gregg’s set features camo netting draped around the stage with military-drab crates for multiple uses. There are projections that sometimes reflect the environment, as well as hosting brief interview videos with each playwright before their play. Andrew Bonniwell’s lights add another layer to the visuals and Mark Messing’s sound design provides sound effects to enliven the environment. Running time: 1:55

THE POINT: This is a commendable and interesting experiment that is more about personal expression than powerful dramatic statements. (3.5 / 5)

At Firehouse Theatre thru 10/30