Today, the military's policy is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." 65 years ago, at the height of WWII, the official policy was a Dishonorable Discharge and the vindictiveness of some homophobes. Diversionary Theater is presenting the West Coast premiere of David and Joseph Zellnik's Yank, the story of gays in the army in WWII.
The title is taken from the popular "Yank" magazine published by and for the enlisted soldiers during WWII. It had a worldwide circulation of over two and a half million with a readership estimated to be ten million. It actually turned a profit, returning about a million dollars to the War Department.
Stu (Tom Zohar) takes us on a tour of duty from enlistment to the front lines in the Pacific. Director Igor Goldin's set is a series of simple, stretched canvas panels tied to steel frames. Two of the structures are easily moved, changing the configuration of the stage to fit the staging.
In basic training, we all learned that "Polishing Shoes" that did not have a spit-shine usually required extra duty. We learned that one screw-up guy meant we all would suffer. Stu learns this quickly, usually under a cloud of fear of some of his comrades.
Amy Biedel is responsible for all of the female roles and plays many of the favorite canaries of the war era with names like Helen and Dinah and Estelle. Their radio broadcasts and USO tours bring the troops a few moments of happiness with songs like "Saddest Gal What Am," and the memorable, "Blue Twilight." She also plays a star in a simulated propaganda film produced to garner support for the war effort. Biedel's quick costume changes seem to include a new wig for every entrance!
Another morale jolt is the pinup photos of the stars as remembered in "Betty," as the guys trade photos. Stu makes it to the staff of Yank as a photographer, with the help of Artie (Eric Dowdy). Yank is very much about relationships, both licit and illicit (by military standards). Stu and Mitch (Tom Doyle) have an on/off relationship. The men he goes through training with (played by John Whitley, Juston Harlin, Rocky DeHaro, Jacob Caltrider, Trevor Peringer, and Tony Houck) and their hard-nosed sergeant (John Whitley) and Lieutenant (Sven Salumaa), who hands out the tough assignments, form the support structure every GI needs. This structure, though, has its share of homophobes.
The public saw Yank for the first time in 2005 and again in October, 2007. This production has interesting special and sound effects. It also has a very nice balance between Amy Dalton and Nathan Hubbard's music and the voices. The play offers its audiences a look at the past with the song-styling and the dance, which includes a tasty touch of tap. Jeffry Denman's original choreography is recreated by the director.
Yank, with 18 songs, many full production numbers with creative choreography, is (at one level) pure enjoyment and (at another level) a look at the homophobic history of the U.S. and especially that of the military. The entertainment is high and the message is subtle.
