By David Gordon
The John Cranford Adams Playhouse played home to a reading of Elliot Levine’s “The Remembered,” staged by Hofstra Entertainment artistic director Bob Spiotto last weekend.
“The Remembered” tells the stories of various Vietnam veterans, as well as friends and family members of casualties and their reactions to the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The play was staged to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the memorial’s dedication.
Levine, a graduate of Hofstra and the School of Communication’s first Master of Arts recipient, wrote the play in 2003 as his graduate project. The various stories included in “The Remembered” were drawn from actual notes left at Memorial Wall, with virtual images behind the speakers provided by Michael Sofarelli’s book “Letters on the Wall.”
At times heartwarming, at times upsetting, Spiotto’s staging was the perfect way to commemorate the veterans of the past and present. With a museum set up in the Playhouse’s lower lounge, audience members were able to get the full experience, from the mood-setting music of the day (“American Pie” and “Sweet Caroline” among others) to discussions with actual veterans, who were more than happy to speak out about their experiences.
The performance featured a cast of nine (including two Hofstra students) playing various roles. Freshman Felicia Tassone beautifully overcame many amplification problems to give a very natural performance as, among other characters, a granddaughter itching to know her late grandfather.
Assistant Dean of the School of Communication Susan Murphy had the audience sobbing, playing a teacher who recalled the life and war-related death of her favorite student (Ben Myers). Murphy’s performance was the most touching and heartfelt.
It was very easy to tell that the cast members had their heart and souls dedicated to the production. While many of the monologues called for tears, when actors such as Bernardino Rosario delivered, it wasn’t clear where the acting-tears stopped and the real ones began.
Watching “The Remembered” got the audience thinking about contemporary perilous times. When the Vietnam War ended, the overwhelming consensus of the American public was “never again.” Yet, look at the United States today. Will there be a memorial to commemorate the veterans of Operation: Iraqi Freedom? In 20 years, will Americans remember everything they experienced on September 11? One thing “The Remembered” taught is that it’s impossible to forget. And everyone is better for it.