Fifteen minutes seems like a short amount of time to woo an audience of theatergoers, but with the right amount of energy a one-act play taught a room of college students, theater buffs and a writer how to give into the moment.
The Riant Theatre's 18th Annual Strawberry One Act Festival took off with its first round of semi-finals. Of the 36 selected plays a limited number advance to the third round of judging, but on this particular evening only one of four plays would be chosen.
With a short amount of turn around time each play abandoned nerves and produced their best to earn the audiences vote. Quick witted lines, romantic themes and creative set changes grabbed attention, but it was during the final performance of a one-act titled "Heroes," that caught bursts of intent silence. An emotionally jarring performance from Collin Knight as Jeffery Lewis and Jason Faust as Steve Gailey; an unemployed Vietnam vet, and a ex-hippie turned white collar head hunter destroyed any semblance of comfort given by previous performances. The duo engaged in snarling conversation about the war at a downtown employment office that lead to gun a battle.
Collin Knight who was later awarded the honor of "Best Actor" in this year's competition committed to presenting his character Jeffery Lewis with sweat and tears literally pouring on the stage. His weapon of choice a cane, army fatigues and a fearless anger that acknowledged his characters rage. The disappointment associated with being a disregarded hero waved over the audience providing the reality of a story well told.
Backstage proud writer/director Joseph Lizardi displayed his joy for the break through performance. Remembering his first meeting with Knight, Lizardi spoke "I was getting ready to leave and (Collin) he comes barging in and I looked at him and I said wow this is Jeffery Lewis."
As Lizardi's second entry on the subject of war in this competition he went in expecting to cast a bold character to fill the part of Jeffery Lewis hoping to inspire respect for the sacrifice every Vet makes. Lizardi shared "I interviewed a lot of Vietnam Veterans at the Peters VA medical hospital in the Bronx. I would ask questions and I understood the pain, loneliness, and their hurt so I made up my mind somewhere down the road I would write plays about these guys. I felt that they put a lot on the line, they should have the honor and respect they deserve."
After leaving the audience with a solemn finale incited by Knight's display Lizardi successfully coerced the audience into recognizing our veteran's daily plight, and undeniably helped to conceive the raw emotion that is every director's dream.
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