'Heroes' Making Merry at Merrimack

Heroes                                                                                                                                                     by Gerald Sibleyras, Adapted by Tom Stoppard

Directed by Carl Forsman; Scenery Design, Beowulf Boritt; Costume Design, Theresa Squire; Lighting Design, Josh Bradford; Sound Design, Will Pickens; Stage Manager, Emily F. McMullen

CAST: Jonathan Hogan, Philippe; Ron Holgate, Gustave; Kenneth Tigar, Henri

Performances through December 13 at Merrimack Repertory Theatre                                   Box Office 978-654-4678 or www.merrimackrep.org

It takes place in August and doesn't tell a Christmas story, but Heroes, playing now through December 13th at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, most assuredly brings glad tidings, comfort, and joy for the holiday season. The trio of Henri, Gustave, and Philippe, not likely to be confused with the three wise men, brings the gifts hard-earned by surviving two world wars and long lives. As they pass the time recalling long-ago glories and planning a final adventure, they will charm and delight you with their humor, spirit, optimism, and pessimism.

Yes, in the hands of these gents, even their pessimism is charming because they face up to the realities of their situation living in the veteran's home, while covertly plotting their escape before their physical and mental abilities wane further. As they were wont to do in wartime, they live by their diminishing wits on the challenging battlefield of old age, striving daily to overcome their individual maladies of stiff limbs, agoraphobia, and repeated fainting spells. Even though they know this is ultimately a losing battle, they are comrades sans arms who continue to fight the good fight, never willing to say die.

Heroes has an interesting pedigree. It is a translation and adaptation by award-winning English playwright Tom Stoppard of a play by Frenchman Gerald Sibleyras that was mounted earlier this year Off-Broadway by Keen Company and Director Carl Forsman. Two of the three members of this cast are reprising their performances; Kenneth Tigar takes over in place of John Cullum in the role of Henri. It should be noted that chemistry among the actors is especially crucial in this character-driven comedy with a unit set and little discernible action, and, with Forsman in charge as master chemist, Tigar seamlessly mixes with Jonathan Hogan and Ron Holgate to concoct a magical elixir.

Holgate strikes an imposing figure on the stage. Tall and dapper with thick white hair and neatly trimmed goatee, he is pitch perfect as the aristocratic Gustave, turning his steely-eyed glare on his comrades to prove that he does not suffer fools gladly. When we learn of Gustave's frailties and phobia, Holgate lets the air out of his puffed-up harrumphing, visibly shrinking in stature and tossing in a hand tremor to boot.

Henri walks with a limp and uses a cane, but Tigar infuses him with a lively enthusiasm, showing him to be the most optimistic, but also the most realistic, of the three. His face betrays his heart's desire when Henri describes the young woman he sees while walking his daily constitutional, and he demonstrates genuine compassion when offering to take Gustave outside the gates with him.

Philippe is often caught in the middle between the other two, but Hogan takes advantage of his oft-recurring faints to etch his persona into our hearts and minds. In this Land of Oz, he is the Scarecrow to Gustave's Cowardly Lion and Henri's Tin Man. Unfortunately for Philippe, he thinks too much and the stress doesn't help with his condition. His spells provide much of the visual humor, but the funniest sight gag involves the resourceful use of a fire hose that tethers all three together for their journey.

Although they do not appear in the flesh, other characters are mentioned who enrich the story. There is the sadistic nun Sister Madeleine who insists upon birthday celebrations for the residents and who, Philippe believes, gets rid of anyone who has a birth date that is already "taken." He asks, "Have you noticed there's never two birthdays on the same day? Sister Madeleine won't have it," and he panics when a newcomer shares his birth date. School girls and their attractive teacher in the nearby village provide fodder for some harmless, bawdy banter among the men, and letters exchanged with Philippe's sister Denise safely connect Gustave with the outside world, while serving to remind them all of their mortality.

Another key character, in a manner of speaking, is the 200-pound stone statue of a dog that shares the patio and provides a sort of companionship. Each of the men relates to the dog in his own way, but it represents a certainty that none of them can provide for each other. That statue will always be there, fixed in place, oblivious to the passing of time. It serves as their amulet. As the sunset reflects on the backdrop and leaves float gently down onto the stage to mark the advance of the seasons, the dog stands stoically and (mostly) unmoved, providing a source of strength to the three old vets.   

Heroes is a funny play with well-written characters, but it offers more than laughs. Underlying the comedy is a heartwarming story about friendship, loyalty, and sacrifIce That sneaks up on you after the laughter dies down. Do yourself a favor and spend some time visiting with these old soldiers. There is much to be learned from them and we owe them our attention.

Photos by Meghan Moore (Jonathan Hogan, Ron Holgate, Kenneth Tigar)