An Iraq infantryman named Zero offers a compelling introduction to this post, which brings together a number of art programs and exhibits taking place on television and in galleries and statehouses and theaters across the country this summer and fall.
The one common denominator: the fusion of expression through art and the experience of war.
BBC Radio has a compelling offering, a 90-minute drama bringing to life the trials of one soldier dealing with missing home, loved ones, and country while dealing with the horrors of war.
If you're setting out to do some work in front of your computer, cue up this piece from across the pond. Listen and details:
A drama documentary looking at the psychological consequences of war. Captain Rob Shepperton, serving in Afghanistan in the medical corps, is out on a routine patrol when he comes across a sight that will change his life.
Playlist:
Captain Rob Shepperton ...... Adrian Bower
Doctor ...... Deborah McAndrew
Matt ...... Thomas Morrison
Sol ...... Tom Attwood
Samsour ...... Nikhil Parmar
Girl ...... Emily Armitage
With music played and composed by John Harle.
Running through March 18 is TimeLine Theatre Company's world premiere of Brett Neveu's ("one of the most acclaimed playwrights to emerge in Chicago in the last decade") psychological drama, Harmless. Directed by Edward Sobel, here's what the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times have to about it:
[Sun-Times] In his newest work, "Harmless," prolific Chicago playwright Brett Neveu creates a tumultuous scenario on a college campus, as a creative writing professor is questioned about what is going on in his classroom. Part of what is at issue are First Amendment rights and the responsibility of the artist in a wider society.
[Tribune] "Harmless" playwright Brett Neveu ... explains that his play "comes from the perspective of civilians dealing with the war. . . . It's about the extremes of violence that happen during war, and it's also about the responsibility the general public has toward returning veterans and how they're viewed when they come back. How can we relate our circumstances to theirs?"
At first glance Brett Neveu's new play looks like yet another docudrama: a troubled college freshman submits a disturbingly violent first-person story to his fiction-writing class, which pits an adjunct professor against the school's president in a battle over the student's free-speech rights. But when the student turns out to be an Iraq war vet and the possibility of war crimes emerges, Harmless becomes a Mametian cat-and-mouse game full of ethical ambiguities. It takes director Edward Sobel a while to get his three-person cast up to speed, but once he does this is an engrossing, harrowing ride. (JHa) Through 3/18: Wed-Fri 8 PM, Sat 4 and 8 PM, Sun 2 PM, TimeLine Theatre Company, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, Baird Hall Theatre, 615 W. Wellington (courtyard entrance), 773-281-8463, $15-$25.
Take a peek at two clips available online from Harmless, starring John Jenkins, Juliet Hart and David Parkes.Directions | Purchase Tickets
Performance Dates:
January 20 - March 18, 2007
previews 1/16 - 1/19
Performance Times:
Wednesday, Thursday
& Friday at 8 pm
Saturday at 4 pm & 8 pm
Sunday at 2 pm
Running time:
Approximately 1 hour,
with no intermission
Prices:
Regular Price $25
Previews $12
Students (w/valid ID) $15
Interested in bringing a group
of 10 or more people?
groupsales@timelinetheatre.com
Special Events:
Free Post-Show Discussions with members of the cast added after these performances:
* WED 2/28 at 8 pm
* FRI 3/2 at 8 pm
* SAT 3/3 at 4 pm
* SUN 3/4 at 2 pm
* FRI 3/9 at 8 pm
* SAT 3/10 at 4 pm
* SAT 3/10 at 8 pm
* SUN 3/11 at 2 pm
If you haven't had a chance yet to see the award-winning documentary, The War Tapes, you might want to find the nearest house party and head on over tomorrow. Riveting. (Here's a little write-up from last summer and a few pics, too.)
And for those of you in New York City, check out a special IAVA benefit performance of Incumbo Theater Company's Pvt. Wars by James McLure on February 3, 2007. There will also be panel discussion with director, cast, playwright and IAVA members. General details, additional showtimes.
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