The Mason City Community Theatre is bringing Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” to the stage this weekend, with performances set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Presented in cooperation with the North Iowa–Southern Minnesota Veterans Stand Down, the theatre is offering free admission to all veterans who indicate their status when purchasing tickets. The drama explores themes of duty, justice and accountability within the military.
Lacey Schmitt-Monson is on the board of directors for both the theatre and the Veterans Stand Down and tells RadioOnTheGo News this is a good way to honor area veterans, and also raise money for the annual event which provides plenty of resources for those attending each year.
“We decided to collaborate and we sat down together and decided all proceeds that are made from ticket sales for ‘A Few Good Men’ will go to the stand down next year. So they’re providing housing, they’re providing funding for clothing, food assistance, financial and employment. So we cover all those areas as well as physical and mental health for veterans. So they could come in with their family members and they’d be eligible for three meals that day. If they’re having difficulty with housing, they definitely will leave with resources and hopefully we have a plan for them moving forward so they’re not falling through the cracks.”
In its first year in 2022, the Stand Down served 190 veterans and Schmitt-Monson says this year they served over 580.
There are 24 people taking part in the production of “A Few Good Men” and one of those is Steve Huling who will play one of the major characters, Colonel Jessup, during this weekend’s performances. Huling says performing alongside several area veterans has made the production especially meaningful.
“I don’t think any of them have had stage experience, am I right? One of them has, okay. So that’s been quite an experience as we’ve been trying on the uniforms and getting notified how the different bars and the insignias are supposed to go. And I’ve got a brother that served and of course all of us know people that have served. So just knowing that everything from this is going to go to the stand down, makes it pretty special.”
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Mason City Community Theatre.
Pictured are a few cast members of “A Few Good Men” during a recent rehearsal
