Review: 'Rebel Yells' by Phoenix Stage Company

Pictured: Rob Richnavsky as Yancy and Chris Evans as Samuel in 'Rebel Yells' All photos by Karla Woodworth

“The losses suffered by all-consuming warfare - the loss of a limb, the loss of a son, the loss of courage, of faith, of self-respect, the loss of a country, a way of life, an ideal of the mind - are devastating.” - Steve Warren

Oakville, CT - Phoenix Stage Company chose to produce the Civil War play ‘Rebel Yells’ by Steve Warren back when they were located in Naugatuck. It was one of the shows selected from over 600 submissions for their New Works Festival. There was a staged reading of the piece at the Naugatuck location (that I missed) and the majority of the actors who appeared in the reading came back to bring their roles to life in this fully staged production at the former Clockwork Repertory Theatre in Oakville. The run of the play is dedicated to the actor Alex Giacin, who passed away since the first incarnation of ‘Rebel Yells.’

PSC decided to wait a while before producing the full production of this strong piece for their Oakville audiences. “We had to work our way into it, while our audience learned to trust us,” explained Executive Director Ed Bassett. The company finally decided that the time had come for this work set during the Civil War to be part of the current season; it was not planned that the performance would coincide with a time when the divisive aspects of the Civil War have reappeared in the United States. As I write this review, a segment on ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ airs about this very issue at Yale University and in the South.

Mr. Bassett was in frequent contact with the playwright, a former Navy pilot and high school English teacher, who lives in Austin, TX via phone and email during the rehearsal process. Mr. Warren sent a letter to the cast and crew thanking them for their time and energy in going ahead with the production that ultimately deals with the losses suffered during wartime. He wrote, “I’m not sure just how the play will be received in light of the political upheaval currently crossing the nation, but I wish to assure you that my purpose for writing this play was not to make any kind of political statement but rather to examine the deep impact war makes on the human soul.” The playwright added that he chose to tell the story from the viewpoint of the losing side because he wanted that “devastating drama of total loss.” ‘Rebel Yells’ has been produced nine times and was nominated for 11 Austin Circle of Theatre Awards.

Needless to say, this is not a play swathed in levity, although there are a few small laughs to lighten this heavy work. The playwright closely examines the devastating losses of every single character; at times, the action brought the opening night audience to tears. The adjective “powerful” seems inadequate to describe the impact of their stories. Mr. Bassett has directed the production with a keen eye to detail and the effect is riveting.

The original cast members worked dramatic magic with their roles and the substitutes blended in perfectly to make an outstanding ensemble that individually reveal their character’s secret. Michael Cassidy (PSC’s ‘The Three Musketeers’) opened the play as Sgt. Gaines, an officer who has been shot in the head. PSC veteran Daniel R. Willey strongly interpreted the role of the soldier George Abernathy. Leland M. Schick returns to PSC to convincingly play Paddy Brannigan who has sustained an injury to his leg. Rob Richnavsky captured the essence of Yancy Templeton, a soldier who has lost his arm.

Chris Evans, an 8th grade English teacher, returned to this company to reprise his role of the earnest and ironically illiterate soldier Samuel Chandler. Joshua J. Gogol (Peter Van Daan in Landmark’s ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’) made his debut with this company to play the youngest soldier who has lost his voice, literally. PSC veteran Tim Phillips stepped up to take on the role that had been played by Mr. Giacin in the staged reading, one Rev. Moses Malachi. Another PSC veteran Kristen Jacobsen held her own as the only women in this cast, the hospital nurse Alexander.

Rob Richnavsky served as fight director, although the violence was brief, and the director assembled the period costumes. Karen Willey collected the props and the director designed the hospital set. Stage Manager Lori Poulin and Ms. Willey dressed it with period-accurate touches, like wreaths and clusters of herbs which were used to repel insects and control odor. During the intermission there was a whiskey tasting, with one offering called Root Beer.

‘Rebel Yells’ definitely has some yelling, some very loud and some with a fierce quietness. I highly recommend this fully staged production of a supremely powerful work. The play runs Sept. 10 & Sept. 17 at 3pm, and Sept. 15, 16, 22, & 23 at 8pm.

Click here to listen to the podcast of an interview with Ed Bassett and Chris Evans on 'Backstage with Johnny O.'

Phoenix Stage Company will announce their 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 30 with an always fun 7th Anniversary Celebration at the theatre beginning at 7pm. This year’s Cook Off category is a dish inspired by a fairy tale. RSVP by calling (860) 417-2505 or emailing info@phoenixstagecompany.org

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became an associate of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417