"Captain Ferguson's School of Balloon Warfare" at 59E59 Theater C
“Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare By Isaac Rathbone Directed by Philip Emeott Performed by David Nelson
Like U. S. Army Captain Thomas Ferguson, most sentient beings have dreams they wish to see fulfilled before they expire. Ferguson’s dream during World War I was to “use all [his] knowledge and training to help bring peace and democracy to the world. It was [his] dream to fly the American Flag high above every nation of the globe. In a balloon.” For Captain Ferguson this would “bring victory down from the heavens like the grand angel armies of God.”
As is the case with many dreams, they involve risk, determination, and a dose of hubris. In war as in peace, new ventures – based on dreams – are risky but there are those like Captain Ferguson who know when the time comes to transfer the dream to new explorers. In “Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare,” Ferguson, aware that he and his balloon companies are in danger, unties himself and goes to new heights to do the surveillance needed to save the ground artillery from ambush. His balloon is detected by the enemy, his balloon is brought down, and Ferguson’s life and dream end in front of the enemy’s firing squad. As is the case with many dreams, they sometimes require the ultimate sacrifice.
David Nelson’s performance as Captain Ferguson is controlled when it needs to be and fluid when appropriate. In a character-driven piece like “Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare, it is important that Nelson be able to successfully explore a wide-range of emotion and physicality. Nelson meets those requirements and exceeds them. His Ferguson is multi-dimensional, authentic, and believable. One actually cares about the Captain and his dream and his death.
The themes in “Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare” transcend military considerations. Ferguson’s quest is the quest of all creative, imaginative people who challenge conventional wisdom and conventional understandings of creativity. His battles with his generals are the innovative mind’s battles with a variety of bureaucracies: corporations; political/governmental constructs; religious dogma and organization; even intrapersonal fear.
Some considered Ferguson’s fantasy to be folly. Sometimes what seems like folly is really sacrificial, redemptive love.
CAPTAIN FERGUSON’S SCHOOL FOR BALLOON WARFARE
Featuring David Nelson. Written by Isaac Rathbone. Directed by Philip Emeott. Creative Team: Costumes by Raquel Zarin; Sound Design by Andrew Puccio and Zach Williamson; Lighting Design by Jennifer Rathbone; Set Design by Bradleyville Creative Industries.
The final performance of “Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare” will be on Friday July 20 at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets to each EAST TO EDINBURGH show range from $12 - $20 ($8.50 -$14 for 59E59 Members). Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Monday, July 16, 2012
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