“Another American” Tells the Stories of Serving in Silence
Actor and writer Marc Wolf discusses his one-man show, “Another American: Asking and Telling,” in a recent New York Times “Theater Talkback” column. The play poignantly illustrates the difficulties faced by gay and lesbian patriots forced to serve under DADT, while also asking audiences to explore their own prejudices – not just toward gays, but toward the military too.
For his play, Wolf interviewed gay veterans and active duty service members from all over the country who shared stories of inspiration and courage in the face of discrimination:
"I don’t think that audiences, straight and gay alike, fully grasp the isolation gay people experience when they serve in silence. An African-American man approached a group of us chatting after a show, and politely spoke up, 'You know, when I was in Vietnam….' He began to tell of a friend in his unit who had come out to him. 'And I ran the other way,' said this Vietnam vet. 'I never talked to him again. And I haven’t thought about it in 30 years, until I watched your show tonight.'
"He looked at me with pained, searching eyes and shook his head. 'What was I thinking?' he asked. 'The kid trusted me, and I don’t even remember his name.'"
“Another American: Asking and Telling” will run each Monday through Aug. 30 at the DR2, 103 East 15th Street, Manhattan. Call (212) 239-6200 or go to http://www.dr2theatre.com to learn more.
08-03-10 By Paul DeMiglio, Senior Communications Manager |
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