by Macey Levin
Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill, New York has begun its third “Solofest” with “Bent Compass” by Neil Brookshire and Colin Sesek. The creation of this play is a story unto itself.
Brookshire and Sesek met in 2004 while working at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. When Sesek, an army combat medic, was deployed to Iraq and then Afghanistan, the two men maintained contact. As Brookshire listened to his friend’s experiences he suggested they collaborate on a play. After he collected six hours of conversations over the telephone they molded it into a riveting, dramatic play “Bent Compass” employing a blend of personal accounts and literary references. Sesek had said early in the process he wanted it to be as honest as possible, to dramatize what it’s really like.Though Brookshire is the only actor, the words are Sesek’s.
The story is not only about Sesek in his pre-military days, but moreso about raw war and how being in combat changed him and his outlook on life. Some of the scenes he describes are graphic, painting pictures of the horrific nature of armed conflict. He decries the brutality of mankind as he tends to wounded soldiers and sees death on both sides. He tells of innocent civilians trying to live their lives in the midst of war who are mistaken for enemy combatants. Their lives are interrupted, their homes destroyed, some are indiscriminately shot, and the war goes on. Inhumanity pervades his existence.
When he returns to civilian life and looks at society’s daily routines, he asks, “What means anything anymore?” He implies that those who have not had his experiences have a restricted view of life. It is this perspective that culminates in a profound self-awareness within Sesek.
As compelling as the story is, Brookshire’s performance is so true and intense you believe it is his life story. He starts seated in a lone chair at center stage talking in a conversational tone. As a recruit, then assigned to the medical combat unit, his manner grows into a combination of aggression and deep introspection. The audience hurts for him as he describes the dangers he faces, the buddies who die, the civilians who are destroyed. There is, though, a minute of seeming serenity when he rescues a bird and places it in his pocket. This is the only gentle moment he has in Iraq. The energy Brookshire employs drives the play to a disturbing and revelatory conclusion.
The play has been performed forty-five times all over the country. It invariably resonates with both civilians and veterans in diverse but meaningful ways.
Bent Compass by Neil Brookshire and Colin Sesek; Performed by Neil Brookshire; Originally directed by Phil Darius Wallace; Lignting: Carmen Borgia; Production Stage manager: Hannarose Manning; Running time: 60 minutes; 8/7-9, 2025
Next Solofest:
March 14 – 16, 2025
FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 7:30, SUNDAY @ 2:00
The World Premiere of
HELP! I’M TRAPPED IN A ONE-WOMAN SHOW!
Written by Mark Hampton with Kate Skinner
Performed by Kate Skinner
HELP! I’M TRAPPED IN A ONE-WOMAN SHOW! She’s a magnificent, late-middle-aged Broadway actor, alone in the world (as only a widow can be) after losing the husband who was the genuine love of her life. At age 70, Kate finds herself reluctantly dipping her toe into the online dating pool – the world of “man 87 seeks loving relationship with woman under 30.” Her tales from the dark side are at once wickedly funny and delightfully disturbing. And at her side throughout the ordeal is the spirit of her husband, her true soul mate even from beyond the grave. Her valiant effort to find life after LOVE winds up being relatable, heroic, and uniquely touching. A raucous, romantic treat!
For tickets: bridgestreettheatre.org