Aaron Sorkin’s Courtroom Drama Shows Debate Defeating Deceit

by Robert M. Gardner

If you are looking for a play that exposes the trickery of our world today, “A Few Good Men” is a must see! Then it becomes crystal clear: Our rude Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth bears close resemblance to to the arrogant, self-righteous officer in the play.

I was amazed how closely our present political conflict mirrors the injustices revealed in Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 drama, and the famous 1992 movie.

Like Hegspeth, Jessep (forceful Harrison Alter) has been promoted into a role he does not deserve. He relies on angry bluster and the blind loyalty of his soldiers. Marines use a chant, “Unit, Corps, God, Country” to assert their devotion.

The play and the movie ask hard questions: Are we living by old ways that most younger people reject? Are we tied to outmoded ways of thinking?

The story revolves around the trial of two U.S. Marines, Corporal Dawson (brilliant Curtis   Henry) and Private Downey (talented Leonard Dale Magat), stationed at Guantanamo. They confess to the accidental murder of Pvt. William Santiago (haunting David Patino) in a shocking barracks’ hazing.

This breaking of strict Marine restrictions leads the two soldiers to impose their unwritten “Code Red.”  Dawson and Downy invoke the sketchy “Code Red,” to get their fellow Marin “back in line.” The illegal Code asserts that the men in his unit are responsible for disciplining Santiago. So, a tragic “accident” becomes a landmark military trial for murder.

At the military court in Washington, the defense lawyer, self-assured Lt. Daniel Kaffee (multi-talented Kieran Cross) prides himself on settling out of court. Kaffee tries to negotiate with the prosecutor, Lt. Sam Weinberg (wily Arup Chakrabarti). Will they make a settlement or try the case?

Convinced that two soldiers are guilty, Kaffee is irritated by his assistant, Commander Galloway (pithy Maria Cecilia Flores), who disagrees with him.  Galloway argues that the facts do not align with the confessions, leading to prickly confrontations that fire up the drama.

Galloway slowly convinces the reluctant defense attorney to reconsider. Despite his antagonism, Kaffee has enough ethics as a lawyer to reconsider the case.

The second half of the play takes place in the courtroom with a well-designed set featuring the judge’s stylish desk.  Brilliant dialogue fills the room as lawyers trade verbal blows.

When Col. Jessep is called to the stand, Kaffee’s cagy defense starts to take hold. The high point of drama comes when Jessep’s coverup meets smart young lawyers’ questions. His arrogance leads him to verbally attack the young lawyer. Old meets new in a dramatic explosion of lies and revelations.

“A Few Good Men” epitomizes the arrogance of the present regime towards the American public. Sorkin offers us insight into the nature of power and its dangers.

Like Jessep, Hegseth uses his power and bullying to tyrannize the public and to sell us a mistaken war.  The play proves that the truth comes from better leaders who are not afraid of open debate and opposing arguments.

 

“A Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin, directed by Enrico Banson, costumes by Maggie Carpenter, lighting by Mark Decker, and set by Marty Farrell, by Royal Underground Theatre Company, at Live Oak Theater, Berkeley.

Info: theroyalunderground.org – to June 21, 2026.

Cast: Curtis Henry, Leonard Dale Magat, Arup Chakrabarti, Kieran Cross, Maria Cecilia Flores, Tony Baca, Perry Aliado, David Patino, Harrison Alter, Thomas Nguyen, Nelson Brown, Tyler Hedrick, Amosi Morgan, and David Isaac.

Banner photo by Mike Padua