Tracers, written by a group of Vietnam veterans, portrays the reality of ground warfare and its aftermath, avoiding Hollywood glorification of the fighting experience. Told in a series of interconnected vignettes, it's the story of six soldiers, their medic, and their drill instructor -- members of the same fighting unit -- whose lives are forever altered by their wartime experiences.
Tracers is one of those shows that usually gets produced, at some point, in most college theatres around the country since it’s inception in the mid 1980’s. In my 6 year tenure at Cal State Long Beach we did it, twice. It’s the perfect showcase for young men as they are around the same age as those who were shipped off to the war so many years ago.
However when Tracers is performed by older actors the show takes on a somewhat different tone. Perhaps it’s me, but it seems more grounded. Since the show’s timeline skips around from basic training to many years post-war, having older actors portray the characters lends weight to the later scenes. The after-effects of the war can be expressed, and believed, more readily from a veteran actor versus a 20 year old kid.
These thoughts became evident to me last night after watching the opening at The Elephant Theatre; produced by 881 Entertainment in association with Elephant StageWorks. The last time I worked on this show was about 17 years ago, during my aforementioned college years. However the group of actors that have assembled for this piece aren’t your angst ridden college types, they are just a bit older, wiser and have created a moving piece of theatre as guided by their fearless and award winning Director, David Fofi.
Tracers at The Elephant Theatre
4322 Santa Monica Blvd.
(between Cahuenga & Vine)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s at 8pm
October 21 – November 12, 2009
Sunday October 25; Benefit for Disabled American Veterans (by Donation)
Tickets are $20
http://plays411.com/tracers
(323) 960-4410
Limited amount of ½ price tickets available at GoldStar Events
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