Theater Review—

‘A New War’ Needs To Be More Than Sketch Comedy

By Julie Stern

NEW HAVEN — There is nothing quite like serving time on a treadmill to afford the experience of just how inane and repetitive and empty of content commercial television can be. This is particularly true of the carefully coiffed and colorfully suited co-anchors of a 24-hour cable “news” station, possessed by what the playwright Gip Hoppe describes as a “maniacal need to fill airtime with something.”

Thus the breaking news story – which sets the story in motion for Mr Hoppe’s The New War, currently running at Long Wharf Theatre Stage II – that America has just become involved in “a new war,” with all its potential for live coverage of military action, discussions with retired military “experts” on strategy and high tech weaponry, somberly reassuring messages from political leaders, and human-interest-laden interviews with ordinary citizens in the heartland, is an occasion for unmitigated joy in the studio, where Mr Hoppe’s satire takes place.

Set in the near future, the conceit of the play is that while announcing that America has just become engaged in a new war, the success of the effort requires total secrecy. Thus, the government refuses to disclose the location of the war, or the identity of the enemy (although, as the anchors observe, it is probably safe to assume that these are “bad” people, who dress differently from us, worship a different god, and eat house pets).

Footage of bombing is shown only as a blank black screen to obscure any revealing details. The President (bearing an alarming resemblance to Alfred E. Newman) stumbles through a teleprompted speech in which he urges Americans to support the war effort by going shopping. Defense Secretary “Halliburton” explains that there are “no knowns,” only things we know we don’t know, and then “Unknown unknowns” – i.e. things we didn’t realize we didn’t know.

 Attorney General “Bechtel” calls on Americans to be especially vigilant for instances of disloyalty, and explains why it is in the best interest of freedom that all constitutional rights be suspended. The Homeland Security Director introduces a new system of color coding.

Regular guests include the homemaking expert with tips on things like snack foods to serve while watching the war, and a “Crossfire” type debate between a far right fanatic and a medium right winger.

All of these generated considerable laughs from the audience during a recent performance, but the most troubling part of the show was the portrayal of typical Americans, whose views ranged from the befuddled to the moronic. I think this was the real point of Mr Hoppe’s concern: to the extent that Americans no longer read newspapers, their grasp of world events is shaped by the soundbites of cable news. As a vehicle for disseminating government propaganda, this is so effective that by the time the news anchors learn who the actual “enemy” being attacked is,  it doesn’t seem to matter.

 The impact of television on the American mind is, lamentably, a done deal. Experience with college students demonstrates an ominous decline in their ability to read, to grasp complex ideas, to weigh conflicting data, and to figure out truth for themselves. These days it is far easier to tap into an Internet data bank and copy the “right answer” from the web site with the catchiest graphics. Their parents don’t even do that – they just listen to what they are told on the tube, and then switch to sports.

Unfortunately, television’s influence extends to writers as well. A New War, while at times savagely funny and yet ultimately serious in its purpose, is just too reminiscent of a Saturday Night Live sketch to stand on its own as full length theater. SNL is entertaining, for what it is. It would be better if the theater were something more.

(Performances continue Tuesday through Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons until January 18. Call 203-787-4282 for additional information.)