Comic gems found in uncertain times

Three brilliantly presented plays were performed this week at Bloomsburg University: "Lonestar," "Private Wars," and "Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean."

As director Simon Ghezzi states in the program, "These plays are about freedom , passion, and memories…" Indeed, "Lonestar" and "Private Wars" are a clear display of that statement. The first of the two one-act plays performed in the Theatre Lab was "Lonestar." This play took place in Maynard, Texas behind "Angel's Bar" during a summer night. The play opens to the lead character, Roy (John W. Greth, Jr.), a Vietnam vet, who is sitting outside wishing on the stars. His younger brother, Ray (Nathaniel Feick), enters the scene and provides some light humor, until the topic of the Vietnam War is discussed. This topic sparks many emotions in Roy, who is apparently emotionally disturbed by his remembrance of the violence and the gore of his war experience. At this point, Ray and Roy begin to reminisce about the old days, and Roy's prized possession, a 1959 pink Thunderbird convertible. His car is a form of sexual nostalgia, and he begins to tell Ray of his "learning" experiences in the back seat. Little does Roy know that their pal, Cletis (Matthew Wyrwas), crashed the car only a few weeks earlier. Among this and other things kept from him, Roy finds out and is devastated. The play ends securely with Ray wishing on a lone star in the sky.

Along the same lines as "Lonestar" is "Private Wars," which takes place in a war veteran's hospital over the course of several days and one night. The first scene opens with Gately (Matthew Costa) quietly repairing a radio. It is then that the audience is introduced to the jokester of the hospital, Silvio (Coy DeLuca). Always trying to pick up women, Silvio provides much of the humor throughout the play. Although initially his exterior seems confident, Silvio later reveals that his genitalia were blown off during the war, which compensates for his outrageous behavior. Silvio is constantly tormenting another veteran, Natwick (Leonard Neil), who is sarcastic and often too smart for his own good. In the end, "Private Wars" tastefully tackles the topic of comradery.

"Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" the final play, displayed an intriguing storyline. Complete with a realistic and colorful set, "5 and Dime" takes place on Sept. 30, 1975 and Sept. 30, 1955 in a five-and-dime in McCarthy, a small town in West Texas. Act one opens to the five-and-dime, where owner Juanita Goldsmith (Amanda Goldsmith) greets her friend Mona (Erin McMonagle). From there, the audience is introduced to Sissy (Meg Hackney), Joe (Duane Wallace), Stella May (Raina Wildenberg) and Edna Louise (Charity Martin), the additional members of the "Disciples of Jimmy Dean." The "Disciples of Jimmy Dean" are a group of avid fans who adore the late actor James Dean. As Act One opens, a reunion of the group is about to take place. Mona, who is vice president of the group, has the most passionate obsession for Dean of them all, so much that she convinces everyone in the group that she was an extra in his movie and that she became impregnated by him. However, in Act Two, it is later revealed that the baby is actually Joe's, who was in love with Mona before her pregnancy. With all of its twists and turns, "5 and Dime" leaves the audience anticipating the next scene, allowing the plot to unfold cleverly.

"Lone Star" and "Private Wars" effectively illustrated the tragedy of war, while displaying what some of our current soldiers may feel regarding the recent terrorist attacks. "5 and Dime" also sparked emotions of loss and nostalgia, as a fallen sex symbol of the silver screen is remembered sensitively.

Overall, each of the three plays presented by the Bloomsburg Players were well done. All those who were involved showed their talent, making each scene realistic and believable. If you never see a performance of the Bloomsburg Players, you may miss out on excellent acting and a night of fun.