The Simpatico Theatre Project is a company with a mission; they endeavor to put on plays that focus on social themes relevant to the Philadelphia community, while partnering with advocacy groups in order that their message does not only go from the stage to the audience, but possibly from the audience, and out into the community. Their current production, Vietnam 101: The War on Campus, finds them partnered with the New Voters Project, and encourages the audience to consider their own roles in our Democratic process.

Vietnam 101 follows a handful of Oberlin college students between 1964 and 1972, recounting their ancedotal reactions to the changing political and social atmosphere scenes, with cast members switching between a small variety of roles as: protestors, soldiers, radio DJs, concerned parents, and students less focused on the fate of the world and more focused on their GPA.

Despite wishing the distinction between the characters more clear, my confusion as to whether or not the character who ran the Oberlin chapter of Students for a Democratic Society was the same character who was raised an Army BRAT and whether or not he who eventually joined the Army when his Peace Corps application took too long to come through, it was this variety of viewpoints I appreciated most. Vietnam 101 portrays the Oberlin students not merely as impassioned ideologists, but also as young men in women coming into their adult years amidst a confusion of pressures: political, peer-based, parental and pedagogical. And while there is no question as to which side of the activism argument the play stands, it frequently reminded the audience that there were other opinions and voices at the time, with concerns and fears and arguments that were equally as valid as those belonging to the people who demonstrated against the Vietnam War.

Vietnam 101 tackles some very serious historical events (including the Kent State shootings of 1972), however its anecdotal nature allows it to be amusing as frequently as it is moving, and imbues the action with a sense of immediacy despite the fact the events themselves took place decades ago. Watching, I couldn't help but wonder - would I have had the drive or fortitude to have done what they did then? And, if my answer is yes, then why aren't I doing anything now?

That's the trouble with theater these days; sometimes it makes you think.

Vietnam 101: The War on Campus is currently playing at the Shubin Theatre (407 Bainbridge Street)

Image credit: Simpatico Theatre Project: Pictured from left to right: Cherie Patterson, Matt Biringer, Megan Slater, Mario Ramos, Sean Faye, Miriam White, Megan McDermott & Stephen Hyams