The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel

Last updated
The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel
PavloHummel.JPG
Original Broadway poster (1977). Due to popular demand, the limited run was extended to September 3.
Written by David Rabe
Date premieredMay 19, 1971 (1971-05-19)
Place premiered The Public Theater, New York City
Original languageEnglish
SeriesRabe's Vietnam trilogy
GenreDrama

The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel is a play by David Rabe.

Contents

Rabe's first play in his Vietnam War trilogy that continued with Sticks and Bones and Streamers , its story is bracketed by scenes depicting the death of the everyman-like title character, who mindlessly grabs at a live hand grenade tossed into the Saigon brothel he is visiting. A born loser who is drafted into the United States Army, Hummel immediately encounters difficulties with both his sergeants and fellow recruits, none of whom trust him. As he stumbles through basic training and comes ever closer to the battlefield, he is guided by Ardell, a mysteriously ambiguous character who seemingly is an officer but serves as Hummel's conscience and a Greek chorus–like figure as well. Although injured repeatedly, Hummel is so determined to be a soldier he passes up a chance to go home, a decision that ultimately proves fatal.

Productions

Under the auspices of the New York Shakespeare Festival, the play premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theater on May 19, 1971. Directed by Jeff Bleckner, the cast included William Atherton as Hummel, Albert Hall as Ardell, and Joe Fields as Sgt. Tower

The play opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on April 14, 1977 in previews, officially on April 24, 1977 and closed on September 3, 1977 after 117 performances. Directed by David Wheeler, the cast included Al Pacino as Hummel, Gustave Johnson as Ardell, and Joe Fields reprising his role as Sgt. Tower. [1]

Cast

Off Broadway production

Actor
Role
William Atherton Pavlo Hummel
Victoria RacimoYen / Second Viet Cong
Albert Hall Ardell
Joe Fields Sgt. Tower
Earl Hindman Kress
Peter CameronParker
Rovert LehmanPierce
Anthony R. CharnotaCpl. Ferrara
Edward Herrmann Hinkle
Frederick CoffinMickey
Sloane SheltonMrs. Hummel
Garrett MorisJones
Christal KimMama-san
Lee WallaceSgt. Brisbey
John BensonSgt. Wall
Bob DelegallParham
Edward CannanCaptain Saunders / Captain Miller / Lieutenant Smith
Steven ClarkeBurns
Edward CannanCaptain Saunders
John Walter DavisRyan
D. Franklyn LenthallHendrix
Hoshin SekiFirst Viet Cong / Farmer

Broadway production

Cast
Role
Al Pacino Pavlo Hummel
Tisa ChangYen / Second Viet Cong
Gustave JohnsonArdell
Joe FieldsSgt. Tower
Larry Bryggman Kress
Max WrightParker
Lance Henriksen Pierce
Jack KehoeCorporal Jackson
Paul Guilfoyle Hinkle
Ron HunterMickey
Andrea MastersMrs. Sorrentino
Rebecca DrakeMrs. Hummel
Don BlakelyJones
Anne MiyamotoMama-san / Farmer
Richard LynchSgt. Brisbey
Sully BoyarSgt. Wall
Damien LeakeParham
Cameron MasonVarious Vietnamese
Gary BollingBurns / Private Grennel
Brad Sullivan Captain Saunders
Michael DinelliRyan
John AquinoHendrix
Kevin MaungGomez / First Viet Cong / Vietnamese Boy

Awards and nominations

Source: Playbill Vault [1]

Awards
Nominations

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References

  1. 1 2 The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel, playbillvault.com, accessed May 15, 2015