Short description

Theater Schmeater presents the West Coast Premiere of David Greig's The American Pilot, directed by Artistic Director David Gassner.

This event has been viewed 463 times
Last viewed on July 22, 2008, 3:18 pm
It was last updated on May 16, 2008, 6:39 pm
It was originally posted: 2008-03-21 15:40:02
By Theater Schmeater

DESCRIPTION

Theater Schmeater presents the West Coast Premiere of David Greig's The American Pilot, directed by Artistic Director David Gassner.

The American Pilot opened in Stratford-upon-Avon at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2005, and had its US premiere at Manhattan Theater Club in 2006. This is the play's West Coast premiere.

In David Greig's poetic drama, an American pilot has crash-landed in a distant country rent by civil war. Since the country's government is supported by the U.S. government and the pilot has landed in rural, rebel territory, he represents both temptation and an opportunity. The play tells the villagers' story as they decide what to do with him.

User-Submitted Reviews

average rating: - from 2 reviewers
Write a review

Plays with any military aspect these days get advertised as having particular relevance to current events. Schmeater’s new offering refreshingly just gives us the thing itself: an American Pilot ejects and is a prisoner in a war-torn land, where he can’t count on friendly reception. A farmer (Jose Amador perfect in the role) finds him, the local militia captain and his translator, and a trader take over and must decide what to do. I found not having a feeling for what they would decide and how things would work out very unsettling. The photos of his family with Daffy Duck, and his ipod with 8000 songs are poignant reminders of the world he has left behind. But here anything might happen. If he dies in this place it will be neither sweet nor becoming. Often in plays or films that depict a westerner in a strange environment, the local characters are fleshed-out only to illuminate the main (western) characeter. Here, we get to know each of the characters better than the pilot. The translator has been to America. It is an impressive place: people have televisions in every room, and stores have walls filled with different kinds of orange juice. But he was desperately lonely: he spent his time looking at pornography. The captain has been to Norway. Chris MacDonald plays him as a believably dominant character in his district. He has few illusions, about what they can accomplish, the chances of success, the likely violent manner of his own death. So why does he fight? Given different circumstances he and the pilot might even have been friends. But nobody in this play chose their circumstances. This is an excellent production. And every performer is outstanding and well cast. In turn we identify with each of the characters and see the situation through their eyes.

-Brian Foster May 16, 2008, 6:10 pm

Theater Schmeater continues to produce great plays simply and with magnificent results. Direction, performances and design are excellent. Beautiful score. And the sound is awesome!! Seems to me the Schmee crew is having a blast playing with some upgrades to the space. Black box doesn't get any better than this!

-Aimee Bruneau May 9, 2008, 12:02 am

REVIEWS & PREVIEWS

User-Submitted Reviews

The Seattle Times Review by Leah B. Green Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Gassner and his cast manage to make this large-minded parable intimate and personal, a moving tale of how faceless international forces come to bear i (read article) Seattle Gay News Review by Miryam Gordon Saturday, May 10, 2008 It all makes for provoking material...don\'t miss this production. (read article) The Stranger Review by Brendan Kiley Friday, May 9, 2008 Chris Macdonald gives a tense, brooding performance as ... a battle-weary idealist who wants to be merciful, but also wants to do right. (read article) Seattle Weekly Review by Tim Appelo Friday, May 9, 2008 The characters are each marvelously drawn...fine acting...eerily beautiful music...sharp direction... (read article)

average rating: - from 2 reviewers Read complete reviews Plays with any military aspect these days get advertised as having particular relevance to current events. Schmeater’s new offering refreshingly just ... -Brian Foster May 16, 2008, 6:10 pm Theater Schmeater continues to produce great plays simply and with magnificent results. Direction, performances and design are excellent. Beautiful ... -Aimee Bruneau May 9, 2008, 12:02 am

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

  Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Friday, April 25, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Thursday, May 1, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Friday, May 2, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Thursday, May 8, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Friday, May 9, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Friday, May 16, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Friday, May 23, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Sending an email about: The American Pilot

Your Name:
Your email:
Friend Name:
Friend email:
Message to include:

You need to be logged in to set up a reminder

SeattlePerforms.com coupons

coming soon...