Local playwright Eric Mansfield is a U.S. Army veteran with service in Iraq, a retired major, who continues to serve the Army, with an appointment from the Pentagon, as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army – Ohio (North).
Many remember Mansfield as a lauded long-serving broadcast anchorman and news journalist from Cleveland’s WKYC-TV. Others know him as seasoned actor (He’s been cast in many leading and supportive roles for Rubber City Theatre, including Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, and numerous Shakespearean roles including leads in Lear, and Macbeth). Mansfield began writing plays five years ago. Love in Reserve has been named a national semi-finalist by Arts in the Armed Forces.
Mansfield set Love in Reserve inside government-provided housing in Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2003. The story opens with Army wife Kate (Paige Felger) reminiscing about her newlywed husband who was shipped off to active duty in Iraq just hours after the two eloped months ago. She has been counting down the days until his return (Just 12 days to go before they will be reunited).
We learn that Kate and her husband, Ray Strong (Christian Achka), met in high school. The play opens with Kate in soliloquy. While waiting for an email or phone call from her husband, she learns from a televised news flash that her husband’s unit has been attacked. Kate tries to confirm Ray’s well-being but is told by senior officers that she has to wait for official response. Kate fears the very worst and is interrupted in her fitful attempt at sleep by visions of her husband and the couple’s circumstances past, present and future.
Mansfield’s story is as relatable as it is moving and witty. The intimate drama has been superbly directed by Dane Leasure who is also the theater’s artistic director. Under Leasure’s guidance, the story unfolds in a way that reveals elements of drama, humor and genuine suspense. Both actors (Paige Felger and Christian Achkar) start out as uncomplicated, naïve teens who mature and differentiate into complex adults. Both actors give very fine performances and generate authentic chemistry.
Love in Reserve continues Thursday November 18-Saturday November 20 at the theater’s 243 Furnace Street theater. The theater offers student rush prices at the door and a military and veteran discount, as well as a pay-as-you-like-it donation next Thursday.
[Written by Lisa DeBenedictis]