New AFGM interview
Jun. 8th, 2007 06:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
x5valeA new interview, thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ckll.
http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=116892&dl=headlineclick
For the download link, go here: http://community.livejournal.com/dean_sam/1690684.html
Plus a review of the play from TV GUIDE
Rose's Rambles Supernatural: Dean Does Broadway
Vacation.
A time taken away from the steady, daily grind of work is what most of us think of when we hear the word. Sometimes it’s just a day, sometimes it’s a week and sometimes it is a bit longer. I just got back from vacation. It was wonderful … a time to relax without thinking, without hourly timetables, and without regular daily responsibilities that culminated in an extremely enjoyable evening at the Casa Manana Theatre in Ft. Worth, TX. It’s interesting that this enjoyable evening was brought about because a talented young man decided that during his vacation from his steady, daily grind of work, he would partake in the production of the Broadway play, “A Few Good Men”.
It’s funny … earlier the day before on Monday I had the wonderful opportunity to meet one of my sanitarium’s Supernatural Obsessives, TTGBNight, in person for lunch. It was a delightful time and our hour long lunch turned into a 3-1/2, almost 4 hour chatfest that, I think, we both were reluctant to end. It was so fun to be able to sit at a table and openly discuss the show and the actors that we both love and appreciate and understand that our zeal and our passion would be understood and not merely tolerated by our loved ones. One of the topics that we discussed was how everything seems to circle back around to Supernatural. Charissa did a wonderful blog Thursday morning that was fun and reading the comments as I wandered through, many people attribute their current music taste, thoughts, and individual verbaige (ie. “Awkward” or “Full-on” being examples) to this incredible show. In my case, I would not have undertaken this vacation, this time of relaxation, this sojourn back to the state I grew up in and lived for many years, if it had not been for the fact of my love for the show Supernatural and the talents of Jensen Ackles. I truly enjoy Lou Diamond Phillips but I will be honest with you, my obsessive friends, I would not have made this journey just to see him. Jensen was the lure and I can honestly tell you, he full-on delivered.
I’ll be up front and honest. I don’t have pictures, except the ones of Casa Manana’s sign announcing the show, the dates, and the actors. I don’t have an autograph. However, I have memories of a rare and exciting evening that intrigued me, that filled me with moments of girlie glee, and that demonstrated to me that Jensen Ackles deserves the praise that is given to him and to his acting skills. So, while, I can’t share with you pictures or autographs, I will attempt to share with you my memories of the evening.
Confession #1. When I pulled into the parking lot at the Casa Manana at 6:50pm, Tuesday night I had to take a minute and compose myself because all I seemed to be able to do was giggle. Your respectable Keeper of the Keys of the Sanitarium was no where to be found in my car. Even the haunting notes of Silent Lucidity on my CD player did nothing to still my sudden crazed fangirl moment. I was there. I was at the theatre and in 40 short minutes I would get to see the anticipated play. Well, not if I didn’t straighten myself up and get myself inside, I wouldn’t! That thought sobered me up quickly and I locked my car and head into the theatre. Yet nothing could stop the small smile on my face or the twinkle in my eyes as I moved through the lobby, past the ticket taker, picking up a program (alas! They did not have any large, full color, “lots of pictures to drool over and enjoy” programs for sale – just the little free one, but I gratefully took it) and head towards my seat.
Confession #2. Somebody really likes me. A lot. Because my seat was pretty darn near perfect. For you to completely understand why I say this, I’m going to have to explain Casa Manana’s theatre. It used to be in the round but they have renovated it and now it’s a half circle. Actually, from what I could tell, there really wouldn’t be a bad seat anywhere in the house to see the action on the stage, however my position afforded some particularly interesting and great moments. Okay ... so the stage is a half circle and there are four sections in front of it. I was in section four which was to the left side as you face the stage. I was on the second row. Here’s the fun part ... the first row? Yeah, if they wanted to, they could easily have propped their feet up on the stage ... THAT’S how close it was. Me? On the second row? Just needed to smack the head in front of me aside and I could easily have leaned over her and touched the stage. Not that a respectable Keeper such as myself would ever entertain such an idea! Now for the really fun part - guess which side of the stage a certain young actor spends a great deal of the time on and an even greater amount of time facing?
Oh. Yeah.
Like I said, somebody really likes me.
The stage itself was set with a high fence across the back, topped with barbed wire running between two guard towers, complete with guards keeping watch as the theatre filled with people. In front of this was a raised platform that had a table on the right side and benches on the left side. In the middle of the platform was a ramp that went down onto the main stage where again tables and chairs were set, one on the left side and one on the right side.
The theatre was full. Very few seats that I could see were vacant.
And then the lights dimmed and darkened and the play began.
Do you know the story? It is actually a very intriguing and intense tale about the death of Marine PFC Santiago at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and the subsequent court-marshall of LCpl Dawson and PFC Downey for the crime. The story made a good movie that I saw, oh so many years ago, but had not seen since and I’m glad. Because I had no real memory of it and each twist and turn was something new to me. Lou Diamond Phillips (LDP) played the character of Lt. Col. Jessup, the one in charge of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (GBNB) and, (yeah, cause none of you know this …) Jensen Ackles played LtJG Daniel Kaffee, the military lawyer assigned to, initially both Dawson and Downey. During Kaffee’s defense of the two marines, he is assisted by two co-counsel lawyers – LtJG Sam Weinberg and LtCmdr Joanne Galloway.
Okay ... I’ll pause here for a moment and just get this out of the way ... Supernatural moment ... Kaffee’s best friend and co-counsel is named Sam and the woman in his life that drives him up the wall but also helps him handle the case is named Jo. Yeah. Go figure that irony. It was wild. There was also the fact that in the beginning, they always had Kaffee eating something.
Take it a step further ... Jensen’s initial entrance to the stage is of him running up to the table yelling “Sam!!” in that voice and tone of frantic exasperation that we are all so extremely familiar with. Seriously, I would have loved to have been in Wednesday’s audience and seen Jared’s reaction to that because our audience on Tuesday absolutely loved it.
But here’s the thing that was really wonderful. After a few moments, after the play truly got underway, it was obvious that this was not Dean being shown to us on the stage. This was LtJG Daniel Kaffee as portrayed by the actor Jensen Ackles and he did a darn fine job! The entire cast delivered a performance that sucked me almost immediately into the story, and as it unfolded I found myself so caught up in the story that I wasn’t just watching Jensen, but the whole production.
Well ... I do have to admit to one brief scene being a totally Dean type of moment ... there was a scene towards the beginning when Kaffee makes a “wrong statement” and Jo turns on him. Kaffee says “I’ve done something wrong, haven’t I?” and Jo proceeds to totally rip Kaffee a good one and he just watches her with that admiring look on his face and when she finishes, he just looks at her and says, “I’ve got to tell you, I am sexually aroused”. I have to tell you that these lines were delivered in such a totally “Dean” tone of voice and facial expression that was just to rich to be true. But that was the only other moment of dialogue that I really thought about Supernatural and Dean. The rest of the dialogue and the rest of Jensen’s delivery belonged completely to A Few Good Men.
I wish, oh how I wish, that I could bring you scenes of dialogue. The delivery was quick and well done. I’ll be honest, there were a couple of bobbles that I caught but they were both quickly covered and considering the amount of legal & military jargon that was spoken, specifically by Kaffee and specifically very fast, I gotta tell you, Jensen did a really wonderful job. I was impressed.
I really liked the way the play was orchestrated. The story was woven between “flashbacks” of the night of PFC Santiago’s death and the current day part of Kaffee and Sam and Jo gearing up for Dawson and Downey’s defense. That was the first half of the play. The second half of the play was the courtroom scenes, mixed with momentary scenes of the three lawyers discussing the case and strategy. The use of lighting was terrific throughout ... spotlighting the individual areas where the dialogue was taking place – sometimes keeping it dark on the other areas and sometimes just focusing your attention. A lot of the exposition was done in this manner, giving us the perspectives of the players in this drama, making us understand each individual, who they were and why they had done what they did.
LDP did, what I thought, was an awesome job with the character of Jessup. His first scene, he came out seemingly affable and engaging – offering gumballs and smoking his cigar, exuding a friendly charm. However, there was always and underlying sense that I couldn’t place until he exploded in an intense barrage of words towards Captain Markinson and Lt. Kendrick. It was then that LDP allowed Jessup's arrogance of his position and his calculated and viciousness of actions to be seen and known. I have only ever really seen LDP as “the good guy”, particularly enjoying him in his occasional role on Numb3rs. But he does mean and nasty really good. Not in the way of Jack Nicholson, for which I was glad, but in a very believable manner that gave me the heebie jeebies.
Overall, LDP was not really on stage that much. His scenes were major important, but few and far between. It was actually Jensen’s character of Kaffee that owned the majority of the scenes. Jensen bringing Kaffee from the cocky, self-assured young lawyer that just wanted to work a plea bargain and get the whole thing swept away, to a young lawyer who was uncertain how to proceed, beginning to see the bigger picture but having been threatened by Jessup, did not know if he had the guts and courage to battle, to finally the confident and self assured lawyer that was ultimately successful in getting the two marines found not guilty in the matter of the murder of PFC Santiago.
I simply can’t go back and detail every scene of the play. I wish I could. If I could have stayed and seen it another couple of times and if I’d thought to take my notebook and not minded looking like a total and complete obsessive geek, I probably would be able to do just that. But I am relying on my memory and the notes I did geekily make during intermission and as soon as I got back to my hotel afterwards. However there were five scenes that stand out in my mind as ones that told the story of Kaffee’s personal progression throughout the play ... scenes where Jensen owned his character and made us believe.
The first one was towards the beginning. Kaffee is evidently out on a ball field, practicing his softball team and is approached by Jo, who thinks he should be working the case instead of playing. The scene is light, but direct as she speaks her mind and her convictions towards their defendents and notes Kaffee’s lack of attention. Jensen is casual – walking back and forth, swinging the bat in his hands and between yelling instructions to the “team members”, he quickly and efficiently shuts down each of her arguments either by overriding her comments or simply over talking. This is the scene that does contain the earlier mentioned “Dean Moment” but overall it worked in establishing that Kaffee was just doing a get in/get it done kind of job of defense. Oh, and cocky? Yeah. Jensen’s got “cocky” down to an artform – from the sly glances, quick grin, and arching eyebrows – it was a scene that could have easily gone silly but didn’t.
The second scene was when the three lawyers, Kaffee, Sam and Jo, go to visit GBNB and Lt. Col. Jessup to get some information that would assist in settling the case. It starts out light and friendly (check this – Kaffee isn’t much of a flier – hmm. Remind you of anyone else?). Mention is made that Jessup knew Kaffee’s father who was evidently very prestigious and who, we find out has passed away. And then Jo slips up and suddenly light and friendly goes out the window. Everyone is excused and it is just Jessup and Kaffee and, my friends, this scene was the first witness of two incredible actors truly owning their characters. Jensen, as Kaffee was seated at a table (hee hee, directly facing me so that I could witness this fascinating portrayal) and LDP, as Jessup is standing – first at one end of the table and then walking around and standing next to and then leaning down and getting right into Kaffee’s face. LDP’s Jessup goes from a kind of “over the top” politeness to arrogant, abrasive, intimidating, and threatening towards Kaffee, getting right into his face, squeezing his shoulder. It was a vicious moment that I wasn’t expecting and took my breath away. Holding his own though was Jensen. Never saying a word during Jessup’s diatribe, he allowed his facial expressions and body language to do what we obsessives know he truly does well – tell the story of his character’s emotions. I have to tell you, watching his face go from friendly and slightly cocky to loosing his assurance, to uncertainty and almost cowardly was simply incredible. This was a powerful scene, ya’ll. One scene comprised of two powerful actors that foreshadowed the upcoming scene between the two of them during the final act.
The third scene that simply blew me away was during the second act. It was a small scene between Sam and Kaffee after a courtroom setback. They had been so confident that they would win and then it all seemed to fall apart. They pulled the set so that right there in front of me Jensen was seated with Ben Rauch, the actor that played Sam. At the start, he was facing the front of the stage so that I had his profile ... until he stood and was facing directly at our section. Kaffee asks Sam about his father being proud of him, and (I SOOO wish I could remember the exact line – it was so poignant!) then says to the effect that he wished his own father was still alive and wondered if he would be proud of him. Jensen had Kaffee so quiet and serious – his hurt was so obvious and when he stood and faced my direction, those eyes of his were red and those tears were real and my throat was simply choked. I was so into the moment that it wasn’t until I was thinking of it later where I realized the irony of the “dead father being proud of his son” storyline. Jensen was simply, quietly awesome.
The fourth scene that was beautiful, intense and incredible was the courtroom scene where Kaffee confronts Jessup with the information that shows that Jessup did indeed cover up the situation. Kaffee’s confidence is back, only this time it is strong and it is positive, not merely cocky. Jensen gave him such an assurance, such a fierce portrayal. He spit out that legal dialogue so fast and so intensely it was beautiful to watch. LDP pit Jessup right up into Kaffee’s face with an equal intensity that it seemed the stage would start crackling. When he got up to march out of the courtroom and Kaffee called him back, telling him he had not yet been dismissed, I found I was holding my breath – just watching these two forces circle each other. I was awed and I was amazed, not only by the acting but also by the power of the storyline. When it came to the part where Kaffee demanded the truth, that he deserved the truth and Jessup replied that he couldn’t handle it, that none of them could handle it, it was almost unnecessary. LDP made us understand that in his arrogance, Jessup did not see anything he did in covering up the murder of this Private as wrong, but as something necessary to protect the “honor of the code: Unit, Corps, God, Country”. Jensen was equally masterful in his portrayal of Kaffee as the lawyer that Jessup would underestimate, causing him to become overconfident and tip his hand, convicting himself. His goading and prodding was timed and thrilling to watch, almost as much as his quiet satisfaction at the outcome.
The last scene I want to tell you about was pretty close to the last scene of the play. The two marines are found not guilty of murder, however they are found guilty of conduct that was unbecoming of a United States Marine and were therefore dishonorably discharged. This didn’t sit well with Downey who couldn’t understand why, when Jessup had just confessed to ordering the Code Red (which caused PFC Santiago’s death) and orchestrating the coverup. It was Sam actually, who got in their faces and made them understand just exactly who they should have been defending … PFC Santiago. That it was their duty to protect those that could not fight for themselves and that included PFC Santiago. What concluded this scene was the briefest of moments that I, again, was priviledged to witness as Jensen was facing my direction ... as Downey and Dawson were being taken from the room, Kaffee calles Dawson back and quietly reminds him that it doesn’t take a uniform for a man to have honor. Dawson looks back at him and then snaps into a salute – something that he had purposefully not ever done with Kaffee, even though Kaffee ranked him (I’m going to call it a military version of thumbing your nose at someone). Jensen’s face was simply perfect as he gave us Kaffee’s proud emotional reaction and prompt salute reply to Dawson’s salute. His acknowledgement and his appreciation did not need words. It was simply perfect.
Oh! There was one other moment ... the VERY end of the play ... it’s just the three lawyers ... Sam leaves, and then Jo leaves and Kaffee is left. Snapping his briefcase, setting his hat on his head and heading off the stage ... singing (yep, you read it right) in cadence … “Hold your head up, hold it high. Lt. Daniel Kaffee’s coming by!”
Oh. Yeah. Awesome!
Oooh! Funny moment I remembered to write dialogue down ...
The three lawyers were getting ready to work on the case at Kaffee’s house and Kaffee says out loud … “Don’t wear that perfume. It distracts me.” Jo replies, “Oh, really?” And Kaffee says … “I was talking about Sam’s.” Totally funny moment delivered with comic timing beautifully.
The applause was long and, of course, there was a standing ovation. Every performer delivered, and earned their stripes on this one as far as I was concerned. However it was definitely LDP and Jensen’s portrayal of their characters that truly sent it over the top and it was for them that the main applause was given. But what was truly wonderful was Jensen quieting the applause and announcing the next day – Wednesday, June 6th, being the anniversary of D-Day, as one that we should remember our men and women of the armed forces and all they do for us. Then turning, he and LDP and the cast began the applause for them. It was one of “those” moments that was really, simply cool.
Afterwards there was a sign announcing a “Producer’s Reception” and everyone was channeled outside. There was enough security there to warrant not thinking about doing otherwise. Some people hung around the doors. I went out to my car and just enjoyed a quiet moment of reflecting. Then I drove over to get a picture of the sign at night. When I did, I paused and waited, thinking with fangirl intensity “what if he came out?” but you know? I had such a lovely time and it just seemed to be too stalkerish of a very private individual. Both Jensen and LDP had given me such a spectacular gift with their performances that I opted to leave it at that. Sorry, if that disappoints.
Um ... a couple of final things that I think you might enjoy ... particularly in squealing fangirl moments ...
All total, Jensen had 4 basic costumes:
1) There was the main one which was the tan/khaki shirt and pants uniform that he wore for most of the first act. Yes. He wore them well.
2) There was the outfit he wore for the brief softball scene … jeans, tennis shoes, baseball jersey t-shirt, and ball cap. Yep. That costume was just perfect – he looked … well, just too darn cute! … and young … and did I mention cute? Actually, he just looked natural which is why he looked so young and cute. Sigh.
3) There were the “Dress Whites” for the visit to GBNB. Head to toe, dress whites. Seriously folks. I didn’t drool. I wanted to, but I didn’t. Someone, somewhere owes me a medal for that! Oh! And when he put the sunglasses on in the scene? Yeah. I’m gonna need to pause for a minute. TTG? You know those tingles we talked about? Be prepared.
4) And then there was the navy blue uniform. “Dress Blues”. Navy pants with navy jacket with gold braid on sleeves – subtle and oh so very pretty. Crisp white shirt with black tie. I swear ya’ll. He looked so incredibly handsome in that outfit that you would think it couldn’t get any better. But then it did! Three times he came over to my side of the stage and three times he removed the jacket, leaving just the crisp white shirt, the black tie and the navy pants and I swear every time I wanted to just sink under the floor and if it hadn’t been for being involved in the storyline, I probably would have. There is something very intoxicating about a man in dark pants and a crisp white shirt and tie. And Jensen? Yeah, did I mention that this young man is simply put ... damn good looking? Well, trust me here ... he is. Totally!
Something else I’d like to mention is the outstanding supporting cast. This was a group of people who had some great moments themselves, particularly Ben (Sam) and Lydia Mackay (Jo). Everyone was simply terrific and worked to make this production the best it could be. Jensen and LDP were awesome, but if they hadn’t had this wonderful support, it would not have worked. Also, the crew that changed the sets so quickly and efficiently, the lighting crew that focused our attention, the sound and all other technical aspects … they all deserve kudos for a job well done.
One other last thing was a moment that I had a Supernatural squeal over(inside – no one ever heard a peep out of me on the outside) was during the second act when Jo brings in coffee for herself, Sam and Kaffee. Kaffee picked his up, talking, walks over to in front of my section and, pops the lid off the cup before taking a drink! Yep. I really think that some of these mannerisms that we attribute to Dean, are simply Jensen, through and through. But that’s just my opinion.
So ... there you are. That’s what I have to report. I’m sure I’ll think of other things as I go back over it and as others make their report ... TTG ... I’ll be waiting! Perhaps others will successfully get pictures. I will truly enjoy them if they do. It was a wonderful evening and it simply solidified in my mind and my heart that this is a truly gifted young actor that has a presence that is solid. He brings his all to each and every performance he gives – on screen and now stage. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
source
ckll.http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=116892&dl=headlineclick
For the download link, go here: http://community.livejournal.com/dean_sam/1690684.html
Plus a review of the play from TV GUIDE
Rose's Rambles Supernatural: Dean Does Broadway
Vacation.
A time taken away from the steady, daily grind of work is what most of us think of when we hear the word. Sometimes it’s just a day, sometimes it’s a week and sometimes it is a bit longer. I just got back from vacation. It was wonderful … a time to relax without thinking, without hourly timetables, and without regular daily responsibilities that culminated in an extremely enjoyable evening at the Casa Manana Theatre in Ft. Worth, TX. It’s interesting that this enjoyable evening was brought about because a talented young man decided that during his vacation from his steady, daily grind of work, he would partake in the production of the Broadway play, “A Few Good Men”.
It’s funny … earlier the day before on Monday I had the wonderful opportunity to meet one of my sanitarium’s Supernatural Obsessives, TTGBNight, in person for lunch. It was a delightful time and our hour long lunch turned into a 3-1/2, almost 4 hour chatfest that, I think, we both were reluctant to end. It was so fun to be able to sit at a table and openly discuss the show and the actors that we both love and appreciate and understand that our zeal and our passion would be understood and not merely tolerated by our loved ones. One of the topics that we discussed was how everything seems to circle back around to Supernatural. Charissa did a wonderful blog Thursday morning that was fun and reading the comments as I wandered through, many people attribute their current music taste, thoughts, and individual verbaige (ie. “Awkward” or “Full-on” being examples) to this incredible show. In my case, I would not have undertaken this vacation, this time of relaxation, this sojourn back to the state I grew up in and lived for many years, if it had not been for the fact of my love for the show Supernatural and the talents of Jensen Ackles. I truly enjoy Lou Diamond Phillips but I will be honest with you, my obsessive friends, I would not have made this journey just to see him. Jensen was the lure and I can honestly tell you, he full-on delivered.
I’ll be up front and honest. I don’t have pictures, except the ones of Casa Manana’s sign announcing the show, the dates, and the actors. I don’t have an autograph. However, I have memories of a rare and exciting evening that intrigued me, that filled me with moments of girlie glee, and that demonstrated to me that Jensen Ackles deserves the praise that is given to him and to his acting skills. So, while, I can’t share with you pictures or autographs, I will attempt to share with you my memories of the evening.
Confession #1. When I pulled into the parking lot at the Casa Manana at 6:50pm, Tuesday night I had to take a minute and compose myself because all I seemed to be able to do was giggle. Your respectable Keeper of the Keys of the Sanitarium was no where to be found in my car. Even the haunting notes of Silent Lucidity on my CD player did nothing to still my sudden crazed fangirl moment. I was there. I was at the theatre and in 40 short minutes I would get to see the anticipated play. Well, not if I didn’t straighten myself up and get myself inside, I wouldn’t! That thought sobered me up quickly and I locked my car and head into the theatre. Yet nothing could stop the small smile on my face or the twinkle in my eyes as I moved through the lobby, past the ticket taker, picking up a program (alas! They did not have any large, full color, “lots of pictures to drool over and enjoy” programs for sale – just the little free one, but I gratefully took it) and head towards my seat.
Confession #2. Somebody really likes me. A lot. Because my seat was pretty darn near perfect. For you to completely understand why I say this, I’m going to have to explain Casa Manana’s theatre. It used to be in the round but they have renovated it and now it’s a half circle. Actually, from what I could tell, there really wouldn’t be a bad seat anywhere in the house to see the action on the stage, however my position afforded some particularly interesting and great moments. Okay ... so the stage is a half circle and there are four sections in front of it. I was in section four which was to the left side as you face the stage. I was on the second row. Here’s the fun part ... the first row? Yeah, if they wanted to, they could easily have propped their feet up on the stage ... THAT’S how close it was. Me? On the second row? Just needed to smack the head in front of me aside and I could easily have leaned over her and touched the stage. Not that a respectable Keeper such as myself would ever entertain such an idea! Now for the really fun part - guess which side of the stage a certain young actor spends a great deal of the time on and an even greater amount of time facing?
Oh. Yeah.
Like I said, somebody really likes me.
The stage itself was set with a high fence across the back, topped with barbed wire running between two guard towers, complete with guards keeping watch as the theatre filled with people. In front of this was a raised platform that had a table on the right side and benches on the left side. In the middle of the platform was a ramp that went down onto the main stage where again tables and chairs were set, one on the left side and one on the right side.
The theatre was full. Very few seats that I could see were vacant.
And then the lights dimmed and darkened and the play began.
Do you know the story? It is actually a very intriguing and intense tale about the death of Marine PFC Santiago at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and the subsequent court-marshall of LCpl Dawson and PFC Downey for the crime. The story made a good movie that I saw, oh so many years ago, but had not seen since and I’m glad. Because I had no real memory of it and each twist and turn was something new to me. Lou Diamond Phillips (LDP) played the character of Lt. Col. Jessup, the one in charge of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (GBNB) and, (yeah, cause none of you know this …) Jensen Ackles played LtJG Daniel Kaffee, the military lawyer assigned to, initially both Dawson and Downey. During Kaffee’s defense of the two marines, he is assisted by two co-counsel lawyers – LtJG Sam Weinberg and LtCmdr Joanne Galloway.
Okay ... I’ll pause here for a moment and just get this out of the way ... Supernatural moment ... Kaffee’s best friend and co-counsel is named Sam and the woman in his life that drives him up the wall but also helps him handle the case is named Jo. Yeah. Go figure that irony. It was wild. There was also the fact that in the beginning, they always had Kaffee eating something.
Take it a step further ... Jensen’s initial entrance to the stage is of him running up to the table yelling “Sam!!” in that voice and tone of frantic exasperation that we are all so extremely familiar with. Seriously, I would have loved to have been in Wednesday’s audience and seen Jared’s reaction to that because our audience on Tuesday absolutely loved it.
But here’s the thing that was really wonderful. After a few moments, after the play truly got underway, it was obvious that this was not Dean being shown to us on the stage. This was LtJG Daniel Kaffee as portrayed by the actor Jensen Ackles and he did a darn fine job! The entire cast delivered a performance that sucked me almost immediately into the story, and as it unfolded I found myself so caught up in the story that I wasn’t just watching Jensen, but the whole production.
Well ... I do have to admit to one brief scene being a totally Dean type of moment ... there was a scene towards the beginning when Kaffee makes a “wrong statement” and Jo turns on him. Kaffee says “I’ve done something wrong, haven’t I?” and Jo proceeds to totally rip Kaffee a good one and he just watches her with that admiring look on his face and when she finishes, he just looks at her and says, “I’ve got to tell you, I am sexually aroused”. I have to tell you that these lines were delivered in such a totally “Dean” tone of voice and facial expression that was just to rich to be true. But that was the only other moment of dialogue that I really thought about Supernatural and Dean. The rest of the dialogue and the rest of Jensen’s delivery belonged completely to A Few Good Men.
I wish, oh how I wish, that I could bring you scenes of dialogue. The delivery was quick and well done. I’ll be honest, there were a couple of bobbles that I caught but they were both quickly covered and considering the amount of legal & military jargon that was spoken, specifically by Kaffee and specifically very fast, I gotta tell you, Jensen did a really wonderful job. I was impressed.
I really liked the way the play was orchestrated. The story was woven between “flashbacks” of the night of PFC Santiago’s death and the current day part of Kaffee and Sam and Jo gearing up for Dawson and Downey’s defense. That was the first half of the play. The second half of the play was the courtroom scenes, mixed with momentary scenes of the three lawyers discussing the case and strategy. The use of lighting was terrific throughout ... spotlighting the individual areas where the dialogue was taking place – sometimes keeping it dark on the other areas and sometimes just focusing your attention. A lot of the exposition was done in this manner, giving us the perspectives of the players in this drama, making us understand each individual, who they were and why they had done what they did.
LDP did, what I thought, was an awesome job with the character of Jessup. His first scene, he came out seemingly affable and engaging – offering gumballs and smoking his cigar, exuding a friendly charm. However, there was always and underlying sense that I couldn’t place until he exploded in an intense barrage of words towards Captain Markinson and Lt. Kendrick. It was then that LDP allowed Jessup's arrogance of his position and his calculated and viciousness of actions to be seen and known. I have only ever really seen LDP as “the good guy”, particularly enjoying him in his occasional role on Numb3rs. But he does mean and nasty really good. Not in the way of Jack Nicholson, for which I was glad, but in a very believable manner that gave me the heebie jeebies.
Overall, LDP was not really on stage that much. His scenes were major important, but few and far between. It was actually Jensen’s character of Kaffee that owned the majority of the scenes. Jensen bringing Kaffee from the cocky, self-assured young lawyer that just wanted to work a plea bargain and get the whole thing swept away, to a young lawyer who was uncertain how to proceed, beginning to see the bigger picture but having been threatened by Jessup, did not know if he had the guts and courage to battle, to finally the confident and self assured lawyer that was ultimately successful in getting the two marines found not guilty in the matter of the murder of PFC Santiago.
I simply can’t go back and detail every scene of the play. I wish I could. If I could have stayed and seen it another couple of times and if I’d thought to take my notebook and not minded looking like a total and complete obsessive geek, I probably would be able to do just that. But I am relying on my memory and the notes I did geekily make during intermission and as soon as I got back to my hotel afterwards. However there were five scenes that stand out in my mind as ones that told the story of Kaffee’s personal progression throughout the play ... scenes where Jensen owned his character and made us believe.
The first one was towards the beginning. Kaffee is evidently out on a ball field, practicing his softball team and is approached by Jo, who thinks he should be working the case instead of playing. The scene is light, but direct as she speaks her mind and her convictions towards their defendents and notes Kaffee’s lack of attention. Jensen is casual – walking back and forth, swinging the bat in his hands and between yelling instructions to the “team members”, he quickly and efficiently shuts down each of her arguments either by overriding her comments or simply over talking. This is the scene that does contain the earlier mentioned “Dean Moment” but overall it worked in establishing that Kaffee was just doing a get in/get it done kind of job of defense. Oh, and cocky? Yeah. Jensen’s got “cocky” down to an artform – from the sly glances, quick grin, and arching eyebrows – it was a scene that could have easily gone silly but didn’t.
The second scene was when the three lawyers, Kaffee, Sam and Jo, go to visit GBNB and Lt. Col. Jessup to get some information that would assist in settling the case. It starts out light and friendly (check this – Kaffee isn’t much of a flier – hmm. Remind you of anyone else?). Mention is made that Jessup knew Kaffee’s father who was evidently very prestigious and who, we find out has passed away. And then Jo slips up and suddenly light and friendly goes out the window. Everyone is excused and it is just Jessup and Kaffee and, my friends, this scene was the first witness of two incredible actors truly owning their characters. Jensen, as Kaffee was seated at a table (hee hee, directly facing me so that I could witness this fascinating portrayal) and LDP, as Jessup is standing – first at one end of the table and then walking around and standing next to and then leaning down and getting right into Kaffee’s face. LDP’s Jessup goes from a kind of “over the top” politeness to arrogant, abrasive, intimidating, and threatening towards Kaffee, getting right into his face, squeezing his shoulder. It was a vicious moment that I wasn’t expecting and took my breath away. Holding his own though was Jensen. Never saying a word during Jessup’s diatribe, he allowed his facial expressions and body language to do what we obsessives know he truly does well – tell the story of his character’s emotions. I have to tell you, watching his face go from friendly and slightly cocky to loosing his assurance, to uncertainty and almost cowardly was simply incredible. This was a powerful scene, ya’ll. One scene comprised of two powerful actors that foreshadowed the upcoming scene between the two of them during the final act.
The third scene that simply blew me away was during the second act. It was a small scene between Sam and Kaffee after a courtroom setback. They had been so confident that they would win and then it all seemed to fall apart. They pulled the set so that right there in front of me Jensen was seated with Ben Rauch, the actor that played Sam. At the start, he was facing the front of the stage so that I had his profile ... until he stood and was facing directly at our section. Kaffee asks Sam about his father being proud of him, and (I SOOO wish I could remember the exact line – it was so poignant!) then says to the effect that he wished his own father was still alive and wondered if he would be proud of him. Jensen had Kaffee so quiet and serious – his hurt was so obvious and when he stood and faced my direction, those eyes of his were red and those tears were real and my throat was simply choked. I was so into the moment that it wasn’t until I was thinking of it later where I realized the irony of the “dead father being proud of his son” storyline. Jensen was simply, quietly awesome.
The fourth scene that was beautiful, intense and incredible was the courtroom scene where Kaffee confronts Jessup with the information that shows that Jessup did indeed cover up the situation. Kaffee’s confidence is back, only this time it is strong and it is positive, not merely cocky. Jensen gave him such an assurance, such a fierce portrayal. He spit out that legal dialogue so fast and so intensely it was beautiful to watch. LDP pit Jessup right up into Kaffee’s face with an equal intensity that it seemed the stage would start crackling. When he got up to march out of the courtroom and Kaffee called him back, telling him he had not yet been dismissed, I found I was holding my breath – just watching these two forces circle each other. I was awed and I was amazed, not only by the acting but also by the power of the storyline. When it came to the part where Kaffee demanded the truth, that he deserved the truth and Jessup replied that he couldn’t handle it, that none of them could handle it, it was almost unnecessary. LDP made us understand that in his arrogance, Jessup did not see anything he did in covering up the murder of this Private as wrong, but as something necessary to protect the “honor of the code: Unit, Corps, God, Country”. Jensen was equally masterful in his portrayal of Kaffee as the lawyer that Jessup would underestimate, causing him to become overconfident and tip his hand, convicting himself. His goading and prodding was timed and thrilling to watch, almost as much as his quiet satisfaction at the outcome.
The last scene I want to tell you about was pretty close to the last scene of the play. The two marines are found not guilty of murder, however they are found guilty of conduct that was unbecoming of a United States Marine and were therefore dishonorably discharged. This didn’t sit well with Downey who couldn’t understand why, when Jessup had just confessed to ordering the Code Red (which caused PFC Santiago’s death) and orchestrating the coverup. It was Sam actually, who got in their faces and made them understand just exactly who they should have been defending … PFC Santiago. That it was their duty to protect those that could not fight for themselves and that included PFC Santiago. What concluded this scene was the briefest of moments that I, again, was priviledged to witness as Jensen was facing my direction ... as Downey and Dawson were being taken from the room, Kaffee calles Dawson back and quietly reminds him that it doesn’t take a uniform for a man to have honor. Dawson looks back at him and then snaps into a salute – something that he had purposefully not ever done with Kaffee, even though Kaffee ranked him (I’m going to call it a military version of thumbing your nose at someone). Jensen’s face was simply perfect as he gave us Kaffee’s proud emotional reaction and prompt salute reply to Dawson’s salute. His acknowledgement and his appreciation did not need words. It was simply perfect.
Oh! There was one other moment ... the VERY end of the play ... it’s just the three lawyers ... Sam leaves, and then Jo leaves and Kaffee is left. Snapping his briefcase, setting his hat on his head and heading off the stage ... singing (yep, you read it right) in cadence … “Hold your head up, hold it high. Lt. Daniel Kaffee’s coming by!”
Oh. Yeah. Awesome!
Oooh! Funny moment I remembered to write dialogue down ...
The three lawyers were getting ready to work on the case at Kaffee’s house and Kaffee says out loud … “Don’t wear that perfume. It distracts me.” Jo replies, “Oh, really?” And Kaffee says … “I was talking about Sam’s.” Totally funny moment delivered with comic timing beautifully.
The applause was long and, of course, there was a standing ovation. Every performer delivered, and earned their stripes on this one as far as I was concerned. However it was definitely LDP and Jensen’s portrayal of their characters that truly sent it over the top and it was for them that the main applause was given. But what was truly wonderful was Jensen quieting the applause and announcing the next day – Wednesday, June 6th, being the anniversary of D-Day, as one that we should remember our men and women of the armed forces and all they do for us. Then turning, he and LDP and the cast began the applause for them. It was one of “those” moments that was really, simply cool.
Afterwards there was a sign announcing a “Producer’s Reception” and everyone was channeled outside. There was enough security there to warrant not thinking about doing otherwise. Some people hung around the doors. I went out to my car and just enjoyed a quiet moment of reflecting. Then I drove over to get a picture of the sign at night. When I did, I paused and waited, thinking with fangirl intensity “what if he came out?” but you know? I had such a lovely time and it just seemed to be too stalkerish of a very private individual. Both Jensen and LDP had given me such a spectacular gift with their performances that I opted to leave it at that. Sorry, if that disappoints.
Um ... a couple of final things that I think you might enjoy ... particularly in squealing fangirl moments ...
All total, Jensen had 4 basic costumes:
1) There was the main one which was the tan/khaki shirt and pants uniform that he wore for most of the first act. Yes. He wore them well.
2) There was the outfit he wore for the brief softball scene … jeans, tennis shoes, baseball jersey t-shirt, and ball cap. Yep. That costume was just perfect – he looked … well, just too darn cute! … and young … and did I mention cute? Actually, he just looked natural which is why he looked so young and cute. Sigh.
3) There were the “Dress Whites” for the visit to GBNB. Head to toe, dress whites. Seriously folks. I didn’t drool. I wanted to, but I didn’t. Someone, somewhere owes me a medal for that! Oh! And when he put the sunglasses on in the scene? Yeah. I’m gonna need to pause for a minute. TTG? You know those tingles we talked about? Be prepared.
4) And then there was the navy blue uniform. “Dress Blues”. Navy pants with navy jacket with gold braid on sleeves – subtle and oh so very pretty. Crisp white shirt with black tie. I swear ya’ll. He looked so incredibly handsome in that outfit that you would think it couldn’t get any better. But then it did! Three times he came over to my side of the stage and three times he removed the jacket, leaving just the crisp white shirt, the black tie and the navy pants and I swear every time I wanted to just sink under the floor and if it hadn’t been for being involved in the storyline, I probably would have. There is something very intoxicating about a man in dark pants and a crisp white shirt and tie. And Jensen? Yeah, did I mention that this young man is simply put ... damn good looking? Well, trust me here ... he is. Totally!
Something else I’d like to mention is the outstanding supporting cast. This was a group of people who had some great moments themselves, particularly Ben (Sam) and Lydia Mackay (Jo). Everyone was simply terrific and worked to make this production the best it could be. Jensen and LDP were awesome, but if they hadn’t had this wonderful support, it would not have worked. Also, the crew that changed the sets so quickly and efficiently, the lighting crew that focused our attention, the sound and all other technical aspects … they all deserve kudos for a job well done.
One other last thing was a moment that I had a Supernatural squeal over(inside – no one ever heard a peep out of me on the outside) was during the second act when Jo brings in coffee for herself, Sam and Kaffee. Kaffee picked his up, talking, walks over to in front of my section and, pops the lid off the cup before taking a drink! Yep. I really think that some of these mannerisms that we attribute to Dean, are simply Jensen, through and through. But that’s just my opinion.
So ... there you are. That’s what I have to report. I’m sure I’ll think of other things as I go back over it and as others make their report ... TTG ... I’ll be waiting! Perhaps others will successfully get pictures. I will truly enjoy them if they do. It was a wonderful evening and it simply solidified in my mind and my heart that this is a truly gifted young actor that has a presence that is solid. He brings his all to each and every performance he gives – on screen and now stage. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
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