'Good Men' stand trial at Lake County Courthouse

Despite the backdrop of a murder trial, Becky Fox, co–director of Crown Point Community Theatre's production of the military legal drama "A Few Good Men," sees the play as a salute to our troops.

"I really hope that people go an extra effort of honoring our military," she said. "Especially with us having just lost several local boys, I think there's an added focus of honor and empathy for what they go through and appreciation. Some of the conventions that we will be using throughout the show may be interesting theatrically, but it's all done with the idea of complete honor."

Holding court starting Jan. 20 and running through Jan. 29 at the Lake County Courthouse, "Men" tells the tale of Lieutenants Daniel Kaffee and Joanne Galloway, a pair of military attorneys who are sent to investigate and try a pair of Marines who are accused of the murder of a member of their unit. The lawyers must deal with the Marines' commander, Col. Nathan R. Jessep, in their quest to finding the truth.

"Men" was penned by Aaron Sorkin, who helmed TV's "The West Wing" and penned big–screen hits such as "The American President" and "The Social Network." The play made its stage debut at the University of Virginia in 1989 and made its way to Broadway later that year.

Sorkin adapted his play for the big screen in 1992, starring Tom Cruise and Demi Moore as the attorneys and Jack Nicholson as Jessup. "Men" was nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture and Nicholson for best supporting actor. Additionally, the American Film Institute recognized the film as its fifth best courtroom drama of all time.

"This show has not been done for 10 years in Northwest Indiana, and we hope that it will have a lasting impression," said play co–director Gerald Jascoviak. "We hope someone from five years from now will say 'Do you remember when Crown Point did 'A Few Good Men?' That was one heck of a show.'"

Crown Point Community Theatre's production of "Men" marks their third staging of a production within the confines of the Lake County Courthouse. In 2010, they graced the courthouse boards for the first time with "Witness to the Prosecution" and returned last year with "Inherit the Wind."

"It gave us more free will to work on the acting side and (the actors') developmental skills versus relying on props and sets," Jascoviak said of the courtroom locale.

"Being able to present this one in the courtroom is a dream come true," Fox added. "It's exciting to be able to bring it to Northwest Indiana audiences."

Crown Point Community Theatre returns to its normal digs at 105 N. Court St. for the musical "Company," slated to open April 20.