Vietnam Drama Is Chilling and Compelling

By Michael Ritterbrown

Some 20 yeas have passed since the American withdrawal from Vietnam, but for many whom were a part of it, the war remains a shockingly immediate and painful experience. For the rest of us, there is a fascination with the horrors that have left such a legacy. Paul Gillette’s Red River Rats is an intense, gritty drama that allows a unique look at the formation of that legacy and the continuing effect on those who share it.

The occasion is a reunion, set in the present, of veteran fighter pilots, who were taken prisoner and held in one of the Vietcong’s notorious jungle prison camps. It begins as a lewd, drunken romp, full of the harsh, desperate sexual release bred by the atrocity of war and the ritualized hilarity of those who share a great deal of personal history. Gradually the tone shifts as old wounds are opened. Past grievances turn to present tragedy as the intensity builds, and the audience is caught up in a riveting series of climatic revelations that carry through until the lights finally fade.

The ensemble cast, skillfully led by veteran television actor Jack Scalia (as Richard "Jungle" Graziani), meet the demands of the script with near perfect modulation and exhausting intensity. Particularly outstanding are Catherine Case and Judi Diamond as the "working girls" brought unwittingly into this difficult tangle of emotions. Also impressive is Julius Harris as General Charles "Chucker" Ross, the strong emotional eye of the play’s storm.... It is an experience not for the faint of heart, and not to be missed.

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