In between the tragedy and sorrow of the Korean War, there had to be moments of levity in order to cope.
Medics in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital would see hundreds of casualties some days, and none on other days.
“That was when they could maybe take a deep breath and have some frivolity and have a party,” said Madeline Franklin, director of “M*A*S*H,” opening Friday at the Elgin Theatre Company. The shows continue at 8 p.m. Fridays and Satrudays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 24 at Kimball Street Theater in Elgin.
“For a moment, the audience will see a slice of the life — several months in the life — of the men and women in the M*A*S*H 4077th Compound and will meet them,” Franklin said. “Tim Kelly has written such a perfect play.”
Based on the 1968 novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors,” by Robert Hooker, the play tells the story of surgeons “Hawkeye” Pierce, “Duke” Forrest and “Trapper” John McIntyre. They deal with all they witness in the war by raising hell when not taking care of the wounded.
“There’s humor in drama as we see when we’re watching a movie or reading a book,” Franklin said. “These guys are about shenanigans. It’s how they blow off steam. Especially Hawkeye and Duke. They’re not Army men at all. They’re surgeons. In surgery, their talents are unsurpassable. Take them out of the surgical garb, and they’re all fun and games. And disrespectful to the Army.”
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An earlier production of “M*A*S*H” inspired its remounting.
“We did the production in April 2010, and because of its phenomenal success and the actors who were in it wanted to do it again … the board said ‘yes, let’s do “M*A*S*H,” let’s remount it,'” said Franklin, who is also a board member.
Actors who appeared in the previous production were invited to revive their roles. Ten actors have, with the remaining 21 roles recast, Franklin said.
The large cast is full of colorful characters, she said. The actors “are just tremendous,” she said, doing much character work.
“Everyone has worked really hard. The actors were off book before the off-book date. We were at least three to four weeks ahead of schedule in our rehearsal process, that’s how good these actors are and how motivated and how much they love the play they’re in,” Franklin said. “From a director’s standpoint, it’s been quite joyous. I’m so very proud of everyone.”
This production, she said, is even better than the previous one.
“We’ve excelled. We’ve accelerated from an acting standpoint, and a vision and a purpose,” Franklin said. “This time around, six years later, we are all wiser, we’re more mature. We’ve learned more. I’ve become a better director and learned more about directing.”
Reviving the show fit with ETC’s goal of bringing people to theater.
“‘M*A*S*H’ is so popular, ‘M*A*S*H’ is one of the most iconic, legendary TV shows in the history of TV,” she said.
While fans of the TV show will recognize many of the characters, there are some in the play that were not in the series or the movie. Franklin said she is directing the play for the purpose of why the playwright wrote it, not to make it similar to other versions.
“I look at this as a body of work. I’m not trying to recreate any of the characters from the TV series or the movie, none whatsoever,” she said. “Their backstories are similar, as far as where they come from and a little but of their history. But as far as who they are, what they represent in the context of the play, I’m looking at it in the way Tim Kelly has written these characters. And so we really are quite true to the script.”
At each performance, active and retired veterans in the audience will be recognized, Franklin said. She also has included information in her director’s notes about the Wounded Warrior Project, which serves military and their families. An announcement will be made listing the project’s website and donations will be collected..
“It’s what I wanted to do from the very beginning of our show. This was very important to me because the Wounded Warrior Project, the work is amazing,” she said. “Because it’s not just exterior wounds, it’s interior wounds.”
Kathy Cichon is a freelance writer.
“M*A*S*H”
When: Friday-Jan. 24
Where: Kimball Street Theater in the Rider Center of Elgin Academy, Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, Elgin.
Tickets: $18 adult; $15 youth/senior
Information: 847-741-0532 or www.elgin-theatre.com