Heroes

By Gerald Sibleyras
Translated by Tom Stoppard
Directed by James Bohnen
October 14 – November 29, 2009

Tom Stoppard’s translation of Gerald Sibleyras’ play won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. It’s 1959 and Philippe, Gustave and Henri, three veterans from WWI keep each other company on the back terrace of a retired soldiers’ home. Through a series of witty scenes, the men goad one another into new adventures. The men’s cantankerous camaraderie becomes strained as they plot an expedition to Indochina, or at least as far as the poplar trees on the distant hill. Heroes is a funny and bittersweet play about memory and “not going gently into that good night.”

Reviews

“A direct theatrical hit, a boulevard comedy bull’s-eye…achieves a seductive fusion of the comic, sad and absurd.”
-The Evening Standard

“Classy, touching and gently absurdist…a swift and entertaining 90 minutes.”
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“Sublime comic poetry…a testament to theater’s power to charm.”
-John Beer, Time Out Chicago”

“Highly recommended…moves almost imperceptibly from boulevard comedy to darker hues, and those autumnal colors can catch you unawares. Lovely.”
-Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

 

Cast

David Darlow- Gustave
Mike Nussbaum- Henri
Roderick Peeples- Philippe

Production

James Bohnen- Director
Baleigh Isaacs- Production Stage Manager
Tim Morrison- Scenic Designer
Samantha C. Jones- Costume Designer
Richard Norwood- Lighting Designer
Jason Knox- Sound Designer and Original Composition
Nick Heggestad- Properties Designer
Jason Knox- Sound Designer and Original Composition
Alison Ramsey- Production Manager