#1
Posted: 6/2/07 at 10:56pm
I haven’t been around the boards for a while so I don’t know what the buzz is for Stephen Lang’s Beyond Glory.
Written, adapted and staring Lang, Beyond Glory tells the story of 8 Medal of Honor recipients from the second world war, Korea and Vietnam. Lang flawlessly tells each of their stories in what appears to be their own words. Switching accents and costumes Lang embodies all 8 as he describes their backgrounds and gives their versions of what happened the fateful day(s) that would eventually lead to their Medal of Honor. Each story includes a reading of their honor citation and in many cases their explanation of it.
Lang is able to make each man likeable and personify as best as possible while still maintaining his very rough military like style. Through out the course of the show Lang plays an African American, a Japanese man and an Arkansas farmer (and 5 other characters) brilliantly, and makes you forget that you are actually watching the same man portray them all.
Falls direction, perfect as usual does not allow you to lose attention or to drift away. Lang’s constant motion, light changes, sound effects, an excellent scenic backdrop, and pre recorded voices of other military men keep the show interesting from curtain to curtain. There are also parts that are very funny, as you can imagine, military men retelling some of thier "war stories" are bound to have a touch of humor.
Clocking around 85 minutes Beyond Glory does what all theatre should, takes you away from your seat and into these 8 men’s lives.
Highly recommended (second to Journey’s End, I don’t know what it is with these military dramas that has gotten me this season). As some of you know I don’t like to write reviews, because I think each person should judge a show for them selves, but I made an exception here just because I don’t think this show has gotten enough press.
An Additional Thought: I have no military backround in my family, and I found this show to be really enjoyable. I really think that it would hit home a lot harder for someone who has actually experienced some of the things that these 8 men describe.
Anyone else seen it? Your thoughts?
Written, adapted and staring Lang, Beyond Glory tells the story of 8 Medal of Honor recipients from the second world war, Korea and Vietnam. Lang flawlessly tells each of their stories in what appears to be their own words. Switching accents and costumes Lang embodies all 8 as he describes their backgrounds and gives their versions of what happened the fateful day(s) that would eventually lead to their Medal of Honor. Each story includes a reading of their honor citation and in many cases their explanation of it.
Lang is able to make each man likeable and personify as best as possible while still maintaining his very rough military like style. Through out the course of the show Lang plays an African American, a Japanese man and an Arkansas farmer (and 5 other characters) brilliantly, and makes you forget that you are actually watching the same man portray them all.
Falls direction, perfect as usual does not allow you to lose attention or to drift away. Lang’s constant motion, light changes, sound effects, an excellent scenic backdrop, and pre recorded voices of other military men keep the show interesting from curtain to curtain. There are also parts that are very funny, as you can imagine, military men retelling some of thier "war stories" are bound to have a touch of humor.
Clocking around 85 minutes Beyond Glory does what all theatre should, takes you away from your seat and into these 8 men’s lives.
Highly recommended (second to Journey’s End, I don’t know what it is with these military dramas that has gotten me this season). As some of you know I don’t like to write reviews, because I think each person should judge a show for them selves, but I made an exception here just because I don’t think this show has gotten enough press.
An Additional Thought: I have no military backround in my family, and I found this show to be really enjoyable. I really think that it would hit home a lot harder for someone who has actually experienced some of the things that these 8 men describe.
Anyone else seen it? Your thoughts?
"Have they come yet?"
Updated On: 6/2/07 at 10:56 PM
