Steadstyle Chicago
	October 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Heroes Before I speak to the wonderful production that Remy Bumppo is presenting on the mainstage of The Greenhouse Theater, let me tell you a little about the times after World War I, particularly in France.  There was social upheaval and many of the retired soldiers of France were placed in military retirement homes run by nuns.  That is the setting for "Heroes" written by Gerald Sibleyras and translated by Tom Stoppard, who I am sure added his own special touch to the manuscript that has been set before us.  It is 1959 and we are on the back terrace of the retired soldiers home, where we meet our three characters, and what characters they are!  Philippe has blackouts and is uneasy about many things.  He is of the opinion that the nuns only allow one soldier per birthday and fears that if someone new comes there with the same birthdate as his, he will be sent off, or worse, poisoned.  Gustave is the newcomer to the trio and has some fears of his own.  He is a private man who attends very little but has become friends with the two other terrace mates.  And last but not least is Henri, who has been in the homes longer than the others and seems very satisfied with his daily routine. As the story progresses, these three men decide that they must leave.  It seems that the front terrace will undergo remodeling and all the others will invade their territory.  They begin their planning as to how and when they will depart.  There is nothing but laughs for the audience from the very onset to the very end (roughly 90 minutes with no intermission).  Directed by James Bohnen on a simple set designed by Tim Morrison, each scene is better than the last as we learn more about each of these men.  Their strengths and weaknesses, their desires and regrets are all unveiled to us by three of Chicago's finest character actors, Roderick Peeples as Philippe, David Darlow as Gustave and Mike Nussbaum as Henri.  Each of these actors has thrilled audiences over the years with countless characters and to have them all on one stage delivering the words of Stoppard is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  This had to be an easy and fun-filled assignment for Bohnen. They must escape or have a picnic.  Shall they head off to Indochina, or just to the poplars of the hills above the retirement home?  Do they take their companion, a dog statue that sits on the terrace with them?  How could they?  Each scene grows with intensity as these three buddies tear into each other as to who will lead the "command".  While this play is filled with comic moments, there are some bittersweet moments as well.  What do they have, besides each other and their plan?  Nothing!  Except each other and as they argue we seem to feel that this will be gone as well.  Or will it?  Let me also mention that the lighting by Richard Norwood and the sound and original music by Jason Knox are the finishing touches to a perfect production.  No matter what is going on in your world, you will forget it all for this 90 minutes of pure hilarity, and getting to see these three actors play off each other is a lesson in theater that will remain in your memory for years to come. "Heroes" will continue through November 29, 2009 at The Greenhouse Theater Center located at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue.  Performances are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday matinees are 2 p.m. on 10/28 and 11/11 ( Veteran's Day).  Tickets range from $35-$50, well worth it for a show of this quality, and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 773-404-7336 or online at www.remybumppo.org.  There are some special dates which you will find at the website as well as upcoming shows that this season deal with "Friendship".  Discounted parking is available at the Children's Memorial Hospital Garage for $6, which beats seeking a meter and having it work.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.