‘Stillwell’ Moving Proof of the Horrors of War

The subtitle of the moving “Leander Stillwell” at the Lee Strasberg Theatre is “Confessions of a Civil War Soldier.” “Confessions” is appropriate, for unlike some other war-is-hell chronicles, this one evokes a strong sense within the title character that he’s to blame for at least some of the horrors that overwhelm him.

No, Leander isn’t one of those miscreants whose machinations sent young boys to die. Leander is one of the boys himself, a farm kid from Illinois. He lies about his age in order to join the other guys who are “going down to Washington to fight for Uncle Abe,” in the words of one of the period songs sprinkled throughout David Rush’s script.

He’s more disillusioned by subsequent events--and by his own behavior--than most modern theatergoers will be. Rosy illusions about warfare are probably rarer nowadays. Still, his story will break hearts. What happens to Leander isn’t surprising, but it’s remarkably affecting.

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Some of the credit for this goes to a dynamic and intimate staging by Drew Martin, much of it re-created from his 1992 production at Stage Left Theatre in Chicago.

The audience is seated amid a group of platforms designed by Mark Netherland. At the center of the room is a patch of genuine, well-packed dirt. When the actors create sounds that suggest rain, the effect is so convincing that you half expect the dirt to quickly transform into mud.

Inspired by a real memoir, the story is told in flashback from the year 1915, as the aged Stillwell recalls his war service in a message to his son. Cast members take turns speaking lines from the narrative, but only one actor, David Beron, plays Leander in the wartime reenactments. His fresh-faced look is a superb gauge of Leander’s descent into his personal hell.

Although most of the other cast members play several roles each, individuals clearly emerge from the masses: Doug McDade as Leander’s stony father, Don Tieri as his charismatic commanding officer, Martin Bedoian as a troublemaker within the unit, J.P. Torres as a recruit even more naive than Leander, Trent Harrison Smith as an unforgettable rebel soldier, Tim Griffin as a deserter, Carol Luat as a woman whose home is raided.

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Women play a few minor men’s roles and the casting is ethnically nontraditional in a few cases--but rather than making the play less realistic, these choices universalize its message.

Besides, the details of Martin’s staging add enough realistic touches. Note how the soldiers at Shiloh have to keep reloading--and how the feeling that the battle will never end is conveyed in just a few minutes.

Blood is sparse, but its occasional appearance punctuates the action for maximum dramatic impact.

Musical selections add atmosphere and a few moments of levity, as when the group harmonizes rhapsodically about Army beans. But generally this is a dark requiem for the casualties of war.

* “Leander Stillwell,” Lee Strasberg Theatre, 7936 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends Oct. 12. $15-$18. (213) 650-7777. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.