Steadstyle Chicago
	February 2010 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	A Separate Peace We have such diversified theater in Chicago!  We can see almost anything, geared for most any audience from little kids to musicals to dramas, we have it all.  Steppenwolf Theatre has a unique program that keeps getting stronger and stronger, that is geared for young adults.  They call this program Steppenwolf For Young Adults, logical and offer schools the opportunity to bring classes to the theater during school days for 10 a.m. matinees.  This allows our school kids an opportunity to experience the live theater version of a book they may have read or studied, enhancing the arts programs of the school system. Their current production " A Separate Peace" is based on the novel by John Knowles.  Adapted by Nancy Gilsenan and directed by Jonathan Berry, "A Separate Peace" is a story about adolescent boys and their relationship.  It takes place in a New England private school for boys in 1942.  But we do not begin there.  We begin as Gene (a wonderful character played with great style by Jake Cohen) comes on stage and takes us back 15 years to that time.  He has a story to tell and things that he needs to share.  Gene is a shy studious boy who has to work hard to make grades.  His roommate, Finny (powerfully played by Damir Konjicija) is an athlete and a wonderful, personable "schmoozer' who always wins at everything. Finny loves risk and danger.  Gene has no desire for these, but because he wants Finny to feel that he is his equal, takes part in what Finny starts.  The major risk is jumping from a tree limb into the lake, often.  In fact, Finny, who makes up games and changes rules loves to jump from the limb, but of greater importance to him is to see Gene jump first.  This is part of his "control" and power over the others.  Their other classmates Bobby (Govind Kumar), Chet (Curtis M. Jackson), Brinker (Chance Bone) and Leper (Will Allan) look up to both Gene and Finny, but are in awe of Finny and surely want his approval. Leper is a unique character in that he is the outsider, the misfit who wants to be part of something, anything and Allan does a great job.  He just finished a long run in "History Boys" where he also excelled as a student in a boy's school.  All of the cast members are strong, each developing a real character and under the smooth direction if Jonathan Berry, who utilized not only the upstairs stage but the aisles of the theater.  We could feel the closeness of the characters to each other and to their headmaster, deftly handled by veteran Alan Wilder, who is always right on. The bonds between these students are different for each but the special bond between Gene and Finny is quite complex.  Trust is of great importance and when an accident takes place and the ever athletic Finny is injured, we question why and what took place.  Knowing that time is 1942 and the War was taking place, a lot of the conversation is about if it is really happening or just people talking.  Each of the boys has an attitude about that as well and as the story progresses, the war becomes a major part of their story.  As young men, I think most of us felt we were invincible, that we could do no wrong and that we would never get hurt taking risks.  In many cases, we lucked out and nothing happened to take away these feelings, but for others, they learned the realization that we are all just human and therefore vulnerable. This is an impressive 75 minute production that I am positive will open eyes for some teenagers who have yet to come to the realization that Gene did.  Steppenwolf does make this available for other audiences, but only on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and only until March 19, 2010.  Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 312-335-1650 or online at www.steppenwolf.org.  Steppenwolf Theatre is located at 1650 N. Halsted in Chicago and easy to get to by public transportation.   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.