Presently we are faced with a great and grave racial problem in our country. It points deep in many directions. I feel that it is essential that we solve this problem, if America is to hold the place among nations that it deserves.
James Meredith in a letter to Lt. Gallagher from A Unique Assignment by Harrison David Rivers
The excerpt from the script of A Unique Assignment by Harrison David Rivers may or may not be based on a real letter, I suspect it is. If so, it was a letter written in either 1962 or 1963, but it feels like it could have been written today. One of the important things about History is to remind of where we were and how far we have come. Sometimes I despair at the state of our country and I wonder how we came to a place where ignorance is so prevalent. Then, I see a play like A Unique Assignment, and I realize we have always been in that place, we just cycle through periods when hatred and small mindedness are emboldened. A period of silent stupidity began to dawn in 1962 when, as noted in the Playbill, President John F. Kennedy had to mobilize: “31,000 American servicemen were required to quell the violence – the largest ever invocation of the Insurrection Act of 1807.” In 2021, at the urging of President Donald Trump, another insurrection completed the journey of the previous four years to a new era of open intolerance and ignorance. The play illuminates an event in history that I was shamefully under informed about, it also contributes to this writers growing perception of the what life was like for a fellow human of a different skin color just 60 years ago. Something I will never be able to fully comprehend, but must continue to strive to increase my understanding. With this work as with so many others before it, History Theatre continues to facilitate that growth through their powerful telling of the stories of those who lived through the dates and places that shaped our world.
The History Theatre’s new play tells the true story of Lt. Henry T. Gallagher who was in charge of security for James Meredith. Meredith was trying to exercise his constitutional right to enroll in and attend the University of Mississippi, his attempt to integrate the Ole Miss resulted in a riot and threats of violence against Meredith and the US Marshals assigned to protect him. The story is told in flashback by Gallagher at the age of 73 played by Pearce Bunting who shares the stage with Kevin Fanshaw playing Gallagher aged 23. James A. Williams plays James Meredith as well as other ensemble characters, the cast is rounded out by Kevin Brown Jr. who plays a multitude of characters. Bunting and Fanshaw do a nice job of creating connection between the versions of Gallagher separated by 50 years. Rivers script allows for moments of humor to create a connection between the character and the audience, he doesn’t shy away from having Gallagher detail his missteps, and even finds a little Minnesotan humor. Bunting is open and able to laugh at his younger self, Fanshaw gives us those moments in a way that allows us to laugh but also relate, which is key to our identifying with the character. Williams as James Meredith in contrast is given little in the way of humor, instead he has a wisdom and gravitas that puts his character at the moral center of the story. Gallagher becomes our stand in, an example of how a cross between how we hope we would respond and how we suspect we would, Meredith is our intellect and our ideals. Williams is excellent as Meredith, he portrays him with a calmness that signifies someone who knows what is right and has accepted the costs associated with doing it. Williams ensemble roles give him the chance at some moments of humor as well, he gets to do a little of everything and he does it all brilliantly. Kevin Brown Jr. plays a lot of different roles and proves a versatile actor, both with serious characters and the more comical. My favorite was his portrayal of a member of the Navy who’s basically kidnapped by Gallagher to help them find their way to the University of Mississippi.
The play is directed by Richard D. Thompson the new Artistic Director of History Theatre. Thompson knows that when you have a memory play with a cast of four, two of whom will be playing multiple characters, that realism takes a backseat to telling a story in a clear and understandable way. He keeps the set design by Ursula K. Bowden simple with angled black flats on which images can be projected to convey visual cues to locations and events. A few rectangular boxes can be shifted around to stand in for counters, desks, bunks, and jeeps. Thompson understands that when you have actors changing characters from one moment to the next that you need to let go of the idea of trying to create realism with sets and costumes, you focus on the story, the characterizations and let simple shapes and images stand in for concrete places and objects. If the play works, which this one most certainly does, less is more, we are happy to accept the same actor in multiple roles when lens we are seeing them through is one of minimalism and suggestion rather than attempted realism and intricate details. There were some nice lighting moments from Lighting Designer Kurt Jung, one involving photographers flashbulbs was a really effective touch.
A Unique Assignment runs through April 7th at History Theatre in St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.historytheatre.com/2023-2024/unique-assignment
Tired of missing reviews from The Stages of MN? Do you find yourself left out when all your friends are talking about that great new play that you didn’t even know about? Never fear that never has to happen again. Now you too can subscribe and have every post from The Stages of MN sent directly to your email box. No more hoping the algorithm works in your favor and you actually see a post on facebook or Instagram. No relying on so-called friends to tip you to the best shows in town. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/ from time to time.
But that’s not all! Think I may have steered you wrong on a show? Well, I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by m’colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . Now you too can be in the know about all the fabulous theater happening in and around the Twin Cities.
The Stages of MN 
You must be logged in to post a comment.