By Stephen Dubois

When I first heard that Road Less Traveled Theater was producing A Few Good Men, I was puzzled. Not because I doubted the company’s ability to stage it, but because the 1992 film adaptation of Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 play has become so watched and well-known that I thought everyone would already know the story. It remains one of the finest courtroom dramas ever written and one of the most effective examples of witness baiting ever put on stage and screen.  The iconic line, “You can’t handle the truth!” has become so deeply embedded in popular culture that whenever anyone says, “I want the truth,” it is only a matter of time before someone responds with their best Jack Nicholson impression. Therefore, knowing the story and having the ending spoiled already, I went into Shea’s 710 Theater to assess the execution of the play, the performance, the sets, and to experience the piece in its original form.

I was equally curious to see what Road Less Traveled would do in such a large space compared to its home base a few blocks to the West. I have long felt that RLTP consistently produces some of the most professional theater in Buffalo, with set and lighting designs that are routinely exceptional. Whether due to budgetary considerations or a deliberate artistic choice, the staging here was atypically spare for an RLTP production. Some elements seemed to struggle to find their best use.  I think if the set was less symmetrical and areas were more carefully navigated the scenic design could have made a stronger impact.  It hardly mattered, though, because the quality of the performances overcame any shortcomings in the scenic vision. 

Katie Mallinson’s tight direction kept the pace and rhythm flowing throughout the many scene changes.  The whole ensemble was strong but there were certainly some highlight performances to note.  The cold, pious and calculating character of Jonathan Kendrick (played by Johnny Barden) was fiercely passionate and believable with Barden creating electric moments of searing rage and religious conviction.  John Fredo (as Colonel Jessup) truly made the performance his own as if he had never seen Jack Nicholson in the role.  This is key because it’s difficult to follow a performance that is as career-defining.  Same with the lead role of Danny Kaffee (played by Nick Stevens.)  He deftly handled the part Tom Cruise made famous without any egregious comparisons.  His legal team of Sam Weinberg (played by Adam Yellen who added great comic relief) and Joanne Galloway (played by Renee Hawthorne) were wonderfully persuasive.  Hawthorne shined in both her performance and in the authenticity of her banter with Kaffee as the two slowly evolved from bickering rivals to a unified front. The men on trial: Harold Dawson (played by Alejandro Gomez) and Loudon Downey (portrayed by Ryan Butler) both were effective in their bewilderment of the events transpiring.  David Mitchell’s portrayal of Matthew Markinson was also noteworthy. 

In the end, A Few Good Men reminds us of something truly essential: that no one is above the law. Regardless of rank, title, or position, accountability remains the foundation of a functioning society. Those who convince themselves that rules do not apply to them, or that their actions are justified by some “greater good,” eventually face the consequences of that flawed belief. The best leaders are those who model the standards they expect from others: lead by example. More than three decades after it was written, A Few Good Men remains remarkably relevant and a parable for our current times. By the final curtain, I was no longer puzzled by Road Less Traveled’s decision to produce it in 2026.  The play runs through June 28 at Shea’s 710 Theater.  It clocks in just under three hours with one intermission.  Tickets are available through the Shea’s site:  www.sheas.org/performances/a-few-good-men/