by lisa lipsey –
The concept of a “dogfight” has been a part of military lingo for decades, but it first appeared in pop culture in 1991 via the film under the same name, starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor.
The second songwriting collaboration by duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the musical theatre adaptation premiered at New York’s Second Stage in 2012 and went on to win the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical in 2013. Dogfight is billed as an unexpectedly tender and genuine love affair, supported by an impressive and beautiful score.
Since then, Pasek and Paul (called “heirs to Rodgers and Hammerstein” by Variety) have gone on to achieve great acclaim including the Tony Award-winning musicals A Christmas Story: The Musical and Dear Evan Hansen, the hit television show Smash, and the Oscar-winning films La La Land and The Greatest Showman.
The play takes us back to November 21, 1963, with three young Marines on the eve of their deployment to a small, but growing conflict in Southeast Asia. The trio sets out for one final “boys night” of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. Required to compete in the “proud Marine tradition” called the “dogfight,” the men set out for a high-stakes contest to see who can pick up the ugliest date.
Eddie introduces himself to Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress in his attempt to win the bet. However, Rose rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.
“In today’s context, what you are about to see will make you uncomfortable,” says Director Teri Brown. “But, amidst its profanity and machismo, Dogfight doesn’t condone the men’s treatment of the women, rather it shines a harsh spotlight on a long-standing ugly military tradition. On the eve of President Kennedy’s assassination and at the dawning of the women’s liberation movement, this group of teenage boys will be packed off to a country they know nothing about. A time when equality between the sexes was nowhere close to being a reality, and when Americans truly believed they were untouchable.”
It is true Brown says, “The women in this show are put into an incredibly ugly situation… but Rose and Eddie begin to throw off their constraints and discover things in themselves that surprise them, break them down, strengthen them, and lead them to see a world beyond.”
Brown continues, “The dogfight itself can arguably be viewed as one step on the Marines’ road to dehumanization of themselves and others, as they embark on a journey halfway around the world to kill with zero hesitation.”
For Brown, “This production is lovingly dedicated to all those who have served our country and who continue to serve. But mostly, it’s a tribute to two of the best people I’ve ever known. My maternal grandfather aka ‘Grandpa’ Bowden James Willoughby, U.S. Marine Corps tech sergeant, recipient of the Bronze Star and my paternal grandfather aka ‘Poppy’ James Paul Brown, U.S. Navy chief petty officer.”
Dogfight runs now through Sunday, August 25 at Coronado Playhouse. For tickets and more information, call 619.435.4856 or go to coronadoplayhouse.com