Megan Anderson (Jamie), Eric M. Messner (Ted), Liliana Evans (Sheri), and Gary-Kayi Fletcher (Bob). Photo by Katie Simmons-Barth.
James Truslow Adams said, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” Many people have to work hard at jobs that pay only a minimum wage, struggling to make a living, let alone achieve the much sought after, American Dream.
…a tasty treat…
Directed by Suzanne Beal, the regional premiere of Bess Wohl’s “American Hero,” now playing at Rep Stage in Columbia through November 20, 2016, takes us inside of a toasted sub franchise where the workers struggle to make some bread in order to help move forward their own American Dream.
The three up-and-coming “sandwich artists” include a teenager named Sheri (played with humility by HCC theatre major Liliana Evans), a poor single mom named Jamie (a fun, rough around the edges, bubble gum slapping Megan Anderson), and a downsized employee from corporate banking named Ted (Eric M. Messner playing the role of the everyman quite convincingly). All are led by Bob (a talented Gary-Kayi Fletcher), a franchise owner about to open his first Tastee Torpedo! sub shop.
At the beginning, an enthusiastic Bob was training his staff word for word with his company manual in hand, perfecting the mustard-to-cheese ratio, creating a sub wrapped and ready in 20 seconds or less. When Bob disappears and doesn’t even show up to his stores grand opening, his “sandwich artists” have “the show must go on” attitude and open the sub shop, despite their boss being MIA.
The set, designed by James Fouchard, is remarkably realistic. The signage, trash can, cola machine, checkered flooring, and exit door leading to the outside all make you feel as though you really are in a sub shop. William K. D’Eugenio’s natural light design is full of pleasing colors, including a green that brings out the freshness of the crisp lettuce and the green in the signage and flooring.
Much like the sandwiches at the Tastee Torpedo! sub shop, while a tasty treat, Wohl’s script needs more meat in order for it to be completely satisfying. Also, the uninspired use of profanity in the script served as a distraction and didn’t progress the story forward.
Overall, if you are looking for a play to take your mind off of today’s TV news, giving you a few chuckles in the process, then perhaps you might consider putting Bess Wohl’s “American Hero” on your menu for an evening of light entertainment; hold the mayo.
Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission.
Advisory: Profanity and adult situations.
“American Hero” plays through November 20, 2016 at Rep Stage in Columbia, MD. For more information, click here.
