Aaron Sorkin’s Famous Courtroom Drama Comes to Life at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
June 1, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Can audiences “handle the truth?” That is the pivotal question at the centre of the famed legal drama A Few Good Men, which will take the stage this summer at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. The hit play about military corruption and the quest for justice will captivate audiences for three weeks only, July 5 to July 23.
Before its Academy Award®-nominated film adaptation, A Few Good Men was the first play by then-unknown author Aaron Sorkin, who famously wrote the script on napkins while working as a bartender on Broadway. Sorkin would go on to become one of the greatest screenwriters of the 21st century, penning mega TV hits like The West Wing and The Newsroom, and celebrated movies like the Oscar®-winning film The Social Network, Steve Jobs, Charlie Wilson's War, Moneyball, and many others.
Sorkin’s riveting courtroom saga tells the story of two marines who stand accused of killing one of their own at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay. When hotshot young lawyer Daniel Kaffee is tasked with their defense, it looks like a simple case of soldiers behaving badly… until evidence suggests that high-ranking officials may have ordered an illicit disciplinary measure known only as a "Code Red." When fellow lawyer and naval investigator Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway suspects a cover up, the legal team must face the highest authorities, putting the entire marine code of honour on trial. Inspired by actual events, this gripping story of conspiracy and corruption in the name of patriotism is a fascinating look at morality in our modern age.
“In a world where the search for truth is at the forefront in the media and in society, stories like A Few Good Men are more powerful and relevant than ever,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director and CEO of Drayton Entertainment. “We’re excited to share this famous play with our audiences. The production is packed with a talented cast and it’s going to be a highlight of the season.”
Under the direction of Skye Brandon, an accomplished actor and director known for his previous work with Theatre Naught, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, and Greystone Theatre, this gripping drama comes to life. Brandon has appeared on stages across Canada, and audiences will remember him from Drayton Entertainment’s Twelve Angry Men and Death of a Salesman. Brandon is joined a talented creative team including Set Designer Sean Mulcahy, Costume Designer Jennifer Wonnacott, Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser, Stage Manager Laurel Oneil, and Assistant Stage Manager Staci Hanley.
The production boasts a stellar cast, led by Tyrell Crews who makes his Drayton Entertainment debut as the brash, young lawyer Daniel Kaffee. An accomplished actor, Crews has performed at theatres across the country, including Theatre Calgary, the Stratford Festival, American Conservatory Theatre, and the National Arts Centre.
Benedict Campbell takes on the role of Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Jessep, the gruff commander of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Known for his notable role as Juror #3 in Drayton Entertainment’s 2019 hit production of Twelve Angry Men, Campbell has performed for over 40 years with a variety of companies in Canada, playing noteworthy roles at the National Arts Centre, Stratford Festival, and Shaw Festival, among others.
Cailin Stadnyk is Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, a brilliant and passionate Internal Affairs lawyer who joins Kaffee’s legal team as the lead investigator. Stadnyk most recently appeared in the Toronto production of Come From Away before joining the National Tour of the production. Stadnyk has also appeared as Donna in Theatre Aquarius and Western Canada Theatre’s Mamma Mia!, as the title character in Mary Poppins at Persephone Theatre and Western Canada Theatre, and has had multiple film and television roles.
Mike Shara will take on the role of Captain Matthew A. Markinson, the second-in-command at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Earlier this season, Shara appeared as Scott Connor in Drayton Entertainment’s powerful production of American Son. An accomplished actor, Shara has appeared in numerous seasons at both the Stratford Festival and Shaw Festival, and has had recurring roles on Murdoch Mysteries, Little Mosque on the Prairie, and Queer as Folk.
Michael-Lamont Lytle returns to Drayton Entertainment as Captain Julius Alexander Randolph, the stalwart judge presiding over the case. Lytle previously appeared in the 2020 production of Kinky Boots. Elsewhere, he has appeared in the Toronto production of Disney’s The Lion King and was a dancer in Céline Dion’s Color of My Love Tour, and a featured performer with Cirque Du Soleil. He has also appeared on stage at Theatre Aquarius, The Grand Theatre, the Neptune Theatre, and the Segal Centre.
Daniel Greenberg is Lieutenant Sam Weinberg, Kaffee’s friend, confidant, and supporting council. Greenberg appeared as Davey in Drayton’s popular production of Disney’s Newsies. In addition to his stage work, he has also appeared in a number of TV shows including Reign, Hardcore Heroes, and Baxter.
Amos Crawley is Lieutenant Jack Ross, the prosecutor assigned to the case. An active television actor, Crawley has had roles in the hit series Anne with an E, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Covert Affairs, Murdoch Mysteries, and many other shows. On stage, he has appeared in Steel City Gangsters for Theatre Aquarius, and in various productions with Shakespeare by the Sea.
Jeffrey Wetsch is Commander Walter Stone, a cohort of Jessep’s. Wetsch has appeared in several productions with Drayton Entertainment, including Twelve Angry Men and Death of a Salesman. Elsewhere, he has performed in six seasons at the Stratford Festival and has been seen on screen in Reign, Mohawk Girls, and Murdoch Mysteries.
Alex Furber is Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick, Jessep’s subordinate at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Furber previously appeared in Drayton Entertainment’s productions of Buying the Farm and Brighton Beach Memoirs, among others. Elsewhere, he gained notoriety as Albert in the Toronto production of War Horse at the Princess of Wales Theatre, and has appeared in productions at the National Arts Centre, the Segal Centre, Soulpepper, and Studio 180.
Drew Moore and David Andrew Reid will appear as the accused marines Private First Class Louden Downey and Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson. This production marks Moore’s Drayton Entertainment debut. Elsewhere, he has performed with Outside the March, St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, and the Great Canadian Theatre Company. Reid previously appeared in Drayton Entertainment’s 2019 production of Grease, and has performed at the Shaw Festival and Canadian Stage.
Jared Wonago is Private First Class William Santiago, a marine stationed at the Guantanamo Bay base who doesn’t quite fit in with his fellow officers. Wonago is a Queer actor, comedian and writer, and a recent graduate of the National Theatre School.
Malik Powell and Jesse LaPointe appear as marines Corporal Dunn and Corporal Jeffrey Owen Howard. Powell is a graduate of the Humber Comedy Program, and LaPointe is a graduate of the National Theatre School.
Peter Bailey is Captain Isaac Whitaker, the supervising Judge Advocate General Attorney in Washington, and Kaffee’s commanding officer. Bailey has appeared on stage with the Stratford Festival, Blyth Festival, The Grand Theatre, and other theatre companies across Canada. All four actors are making their Drayton Entertainment debut.
George Alevizos takes on the roles of Lawyer and Court Reporter. Alevizos is the first alumnus of a Canadian theatre training program who uses a wheelchair. He has appeared on stage in productions including Who’s Afraid of Titus?, Cell Block Tango: Reimagined, and Shakespeare in the Ruff’s Towards Rebirth. On screen, he has been seen on shows like Hudson & Rex and Star Trek: Discovery. Alevizos is an influential advocate for actors with disabilities, involved in the "Dear Everybody" campaign for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Ryota Kaneko rounds out the cast as Corporal Hammaker. Kaneko appeared in Drayton Entertainment’s Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes, and has had roles on Amazon Prime’s The Boys and Netflix’s Age of Samurai.
Based on true events, Aaron Sorkin was inspired to write A Few Good Men after hearing a story about a lawyer in the U.S. Navy who defended a group of marines accused of hazing a fellow officer. Sorkin’s play immediately caught the attention of Hollywood producers who wanted to turn it into a movie. Sorkin insisted that the script be produced on stage prior to being made into a film. A Few Good Men opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre in 1989, and ran for nearly 500 performances.
Rob Reiner directed the star-studded 1992 movie adaptation featuring Tom Cruise as Kaffee, Jack Nicholson as Jessep, Demi Moore as Galloway, Kiefer Sutherland as Kendrick, Kevin Bacon as Ross, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Hammaker, Kevin Pollack as Weinberg, and many other prominent actors. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards® and five Golden Globe Awards®.
A Few Good Men is proudly sponsored by Document Imaging Partners. The Media Sponsors are KX94.7 New Country, Forever Young, 106.7 Country, and The Cambridge Times. The Design Sponsors are Bugs or Us and Tiny Cakes. The Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
A Few Good Men is on stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge from July 5 to July 23.
Regular performance tickets are $55 for adults, $34 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for select Discount Dates and groups of 20 or more are $45, and small groups of 10-19 are $50. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online at www.draytonentertainment.com.
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For more information please contact:
Samareh Jones, Marketing & Development Associate
samareh@draytonentertainment.com
Phone: (519) 621-5511 ext. 256