CAMBRIDGE – Can audiences “handle the truth?” That is the pivotal question at the centre of the famed legal drama A Few Good Men, which will take the stage this summer at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. The hit play about military corruption and the quest for justice will captivate audiences for three weeks only, July 5 to July 23.
Before its Academy Award-nominated film adaptation, A Few Good Men was the first play by then-unknown author Aaron Sorkin, who famously wrote the script on napkins while working as a bartender on Broadway. Sorkin would go on to pen mega TV hits like The West Wing and The Newsroom, and celebrated movies like The Social Network, and Moneyball.
Sorkin’s riveting courtroom saga tells the story of two marines who stand accused of killing one of their own at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay and hotshot young lawyer Daniel Kaffee, who is tasked with their defense.
“In a world where the search for truth is at the forefront in the media and in society, stories like A Few Good Men are more powerful and relevant than ever,” said Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas.
Under the direction of Skye Brandon, an accomplished actor and director known for his previous work with Theatre Naught, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, and Greystone Theatre, this gripping drama comes to life.
The production boasts a cast led by Tyrell Crews who makes his Drayton Entertainment debut as Kaffee. Crews has performed at theatres across the country, including Theatre Calgary, the Stratford Festival, American Conservatory Theatre, and the National Arts Centre.
Benedict Campbell takes on the role of Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Jessep, the gruff commander of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Known for his notable role as Juror Number 3 in Drayton Entertainment’s 2019 hit production of Twelve Angry Men, Campbell has performed for over 40 years with a variety of companies in Canada, .
Cailin Stadnyk is Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, a brilliant and passionate Internal Affairs lawyer who joins Kaffee’s legal team as the lead investigator. Stadnyk most recently appeared in the Toronto production of Come From Away before joining the National Tour of the production.
Mike Shara will take on the role of Captain Matthew A. Markinson, the second-in-command at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Earlier this season, Shara appeared as Scott Connor in Drayton Entertainment’s production of American Son.
George Alevizos takes on the roles of lawyer and court reporter. Alevizos is the first alumnus of a Canadian theatre training program who uses a wheelchair. He has appeared on stage in productions including Who’s Afraid of Titus? and Cell Block Tango: Reimagined. On screen, he has been seen on shows like Hudson & Rex and Star Trek: Discovery.
Based on true events, Aaron Sorkin was inspired to write A Few Good Men after hearing a story about a lawyer in the U.S. Navy who defended a group of marines accused of hazing a fellow officer.
Sorkin’s play immediately caught the attention of Hollywood producers who wanted to turn it into a movie. Sorkin insisted that the script be produced on stage prior to being made into a film.
A Few Good Men opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre in 1989 and ran for nearly 500 performances in total.
Rob Reiner directed the star-studded 1992 movie adaptation featuring Tom Cruise as Kaffee, Jack Nicholson as Jessep, Demi Moore as Galloway, Kiefer Sutherland as Kendrick, Kevin Bacon as Ross, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Hammaker, Kevin Pollack as Weinberg, and many other prominent actors.
On stage until July 23
A Few Good Men is on stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge July 5 to July 23.
Regular performance tickets are $55 for adults, $34 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for select Discount Dates and groups of 20 or more are $45, and small groups of 10-19 are $50. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online at www.draytonentertainment.com.
