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Wit, Fact Merge To Tell War's Tale In 'Embedded'

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By KATHY L. GREENBERG

Tribune Correspondent

Published: August 19, 2008

TAMPA - Jobsite Theatre could not have picked a finer show than "Embedded" to close out the 2007-08 season. Written by Tim Robbins, this was, by far, Jobsite's best production.

The play is a biting - some have said unpatriotic - interpretation of people and events during the war in Iraq. While Robbins left some moments to brilliant conjecture, most of the material is based on actual reportage from journalists. The result is a revelation of discomforting facts couched in irreverent wit.

The first of three storylines introduces soldiers bidding their loved ones goodbye before leaving for Gomorrah to fight the Butcher of Babylon. One of these soldiers is Private Jen Ryan, whose fate mirrors that of Jessica Lynch and the long-sought-for character in the film "Saving Private Ryan." Letters home reveal the horrors of war and the loneliness experienced in the trenches.

Back home, members of the Office of Special Plans plot the machinations of war behind masks that look like the real-life figures. Dick, Rum-Rum, Gondola, Cove, Pearly White and Woof (guess who they represent) giggle over every clever device they conjure to manipulate public opinion. At day's end, they hail Leo Strauss - the father of neo-conservatism - like the demonic cabal in "Rosemary's Baby."

Their conniving includes altering news from the embedded journalists in Gomorrah, who have joined the deployed troops to record day-to-day life in a war zone. Some stringers follow the rules, eagerly reporting so-called heroics that make the United States and military look good. Others, however, find ways to sneak the truth past the sensors.

Co-directors David M. Jenkins and Shawn Paonessa culled some of the best actors in the Tampa Bay area for this production. Though all were wonderful, Kyle Porter was especially moving as the young soldier Monk, who despairs over the carnage he witnesses every day.

Of equal importance were Richard Henzel's rubbery masks that helped the actors transform Straussian worshippers. These well-made props conveyed war's terrifying truths while mocking the politicians behind the scenes. Christopher Rutherford (Dick) embodied a deliciously evil shadow of Dick Cheney and Steve Garland indulged in the squealing toady Rum-Rum. It was clear, however, that all six actors enjoyed playing in this sandbox.

A prompt screen flashed war images and media sources to support events depicted in the play, the message being that reality supersedes emotion, morality and logic.

"Embedded" is a creative, original and intelligent play that lingers long after the curtain goes down.

'Embedded'

WHEN: Through Aug. 31; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Shimberg Playhouse, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; (813) 229-7827; www.tbpac.org

HOW MUCH: $24.50

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