Also this issue: Three Sisters Theatre Exile presents a world premiere that’s a real family affair. -Deni Kasrel Remembering Ella Local artists react to the death of Ella King Torrey -David Warner Still Here Elaine Stritch (still) isn’t afraid to speak her mind. -A.D. Amorosi Philadanco -Janet Anderson Project Room Benefit Party -Debra Auspitz Rennie Harris Puremovement at Salute to Youth -Deni Kasrel Stango Gallery opening -Debra Auspitz ArtsQuicks More stuff going on this week …

May 8-14, 2003

artpicks

Gentlemen Volunteers

In 1998, Gentlemen Volunteers, a piece of theater conceived by Pig Iron Theatre Co., conjured up an era of innocence: 1916, as the First World War darkened European skies, and America debated whether to join the conflict. Two young students from Yale, Vincent (Quinn Bauriedel) and Rich (Dito van Reigersberg), head to the war zone partly to experience adventure, partly to confirm their already-held belief in victory through courageous endeavor. They hope to have time to enjoy a taste of wartime romance with nurses Francoise (Emmanuelle Delpech-Ramey) and Mary (Cassandra Friend), but modern warfare, it turns out, effortlessly harms even those standing at a distance. The young men's ideals cannot survive the atmosphere of mustard gas and mass casualty, of men and women dying without reason, in defiance of fairness and sense.

One of the company's early works, written by Suli Holum, Gentlemen has since been shown in venues from London to Poland. Relying almost entirely on the expressivity of mime and live sound design in lieu of props, the show exudes the honesty of young eyes witnessing an unimaginable experience -- what war does to the human body, and to the human heart.

Gentlemen Volunteers, May 8-18, $12-$20, Christ Church Annex, 20 N. American St., 215-627-1883.

—Juliet Fletcher