Fatherland

By Joseph Cervelli

In the program, "Fatherland" playing at New York City Center Stage II  states the show is verbatim theater which means "every word comes from court  evidence, public statements and the official transcript of THE UNITED STATES VS. GUY WESLEY REFFITT." In the event the name is not familiar (as it was not to me) he was the first person to be convicted in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. What makes it even more incredible is that he was turned in by his nineteen year old son, Jackson (beautifully played by Patrick Keleher). 

Before you think this is a staid reading of court transcripts think again. "Fatherland" is a powerful, emotionally gritty and upsetting rendering of what occurred on that infamous day that we should never forget. 

What conceiver and director Stephen Sachs so expertly accomplishes is to do his best to present Reffitt (played brilliantly and exhaustingly by Ron Bonitta) as a manic ultra right wingbeliever in former President Trump and/or as his lawyer (well played by Larry Poindexter) stated someone suffering from severe emotional issues and taking Xanax proving he is not well. Anna Khaja portrays the U.S. Attorney a bit too laidback.

What works so very well is that the show does not exclusively play in the courtroom (only a few chairs and two tables as designed by Joel Daavid) which basically occurs at the end of the 80 minutes. At first you hear Reffitt  speaking about his prosperous job as someone who has worked on an oil rig and then that job collapsed throwing the family into ruin. He makes a statement which many of the more radical followers of Trump follow which is he provides an "outlet" for them to basically say and do what they want and need. I have several good friends who do support the former President who are quite intelligent and just feel he will be a better leader. But then there are those who are almost psychotic in their beliefs as in Reffitt. 

Jackson recorded the conversations before and after his father marches to the Capitol. This is why the play feels like it not just from transcripts. They re-enact what is on the tape. And I liked the fact Sachs have them moving around the stage almost using the table as furniture in their home. 

There is not doubt that as crazed Refitt has become he still loves his son but his devotion to the cause of those extremists supporting Trump has him accosting his son threatening to kill him if he finds out he has turned him in. Jackson pulls no punches calling his dad a traitor and there is sadly no reasoning with him.

What is scary is seeing all the rounds of ammunition in boxes that Reffitt decides to bing to the Capitol. 

What is brought out and might  not bring a shining light on Jackson is that he has arranged for a GoFund page for himself which raised over $150,000. Reffitt's lawyer questions this especially emphasizing the money was exclusively for himself despite Jackson's claim his mother and sister turned it down. 

What I found very touching is when Reffitt in his final statements shows Jackson squirming in his chair fighting about tears thinking what his father has become. And what is frightening is when Reffitt speaks slowly in a normal voice until his frighteningly prophetic  that next time they will not be so "cordial." That truly gave one shivers.

"Fatherland" is so well acted and pure theater that don't let the fact that it comes from transcripts, etc. deter you. You owe it to yourself to see this mighty new play. 

PHOTOS: Maria Baranova

Tickets are available at the New York City Center Stage II 131 West 55th Street.