In Close Quarters: A Story of Love and War
In Close Quarters: A Story of Love and War
Wanzie Presents and D Squared Productions
Written by Michael Wanzie
Directed by Chris Yakubchik
With Harrison Flanders and Zachary Lane
Silver Venue
The 2016 Orlando International Fringe Festival
Orlando, FL</strong>
Put two people in a sealed box for a few weeks, and they will find out just about everything there is to know about the other. PFC Dolan (Lane) looks like a hero; he dragged his unconscious buddy PFC Ivey (Flanders) into a tunnel to escape the Viet Cong after a rescue mission went wrong. Lane nurse Ivey back to health and rubs his feet to calm his fevered ravings. As this action proceeds someone leaned over and whispered: “Yup, it’s a Wanzie show.” But its more, this show is way more than just a thing about feet. As these guys survive underground and at risk of a POW camp we learn about why they fight and what friendship and loyalty and trust are all about. Dolan is gay, and lives with a disappointed military father who wants him to get the decorations he never did. Ivey has a girl back home, or thinks he does, and here we have the seed of high tension, low humor and men find out where there real limits lie. They both must bend to survive, and the process makes them both greater. I’ll warn you: this show is a real tear jerker. Nearly everyone in the theater was snuffling or outright crying as the show wound down. While we note Mr. Wanzie for his draggy comedies, but he is capable of so much more and her he gives us one of the strongest dramas of the season. It’s a locked room with no unnecessary dialog, action or props. Bring tissues, and don’t book any fluffy comedies for the rest of your day.
This Commentary was prepared from a technical rehearsal.
This show was presented as part of the 2016 Orlando Fringe Festival for show times, tickets and more information please visit . http://orlandofringe.org/
