Actors reprise roles for Wheaton Drama's 'Walk in the Woods'

Wheaton Drama's latest production will take audiences back to the days when the threat of nuclear war had Americans fearful of mutually assured destruction.

Set in the 1980s before the end of the Cold War, "A Walk in the Woods" follows the developing relationship between two arms limitation negotiators as they try to hammer out a nuclear arms-control agreement between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The two-man play opens today at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., in downtown Wheaton.

For director Chris Bruzzini, "A Walk in the Woods" is as relevant now as it was when it was performed on Broadway in 1988.

"Yes, the countries look different now," Bruzzini said. "This was long before planes flew into buildings.

"But aren't we asking the same questions today?" he added. "Can we trust each other? Why don't we just listen to each other?"

In addition to directing the production, Bruzzini plays the role of John Honeyman - a stuffy but idealistic American anxious to reach an agreement.

To achieve his goal, Honeyman has a series of one-on-one conversations over the course of a year with an experienced Russian negotiator, Andrey Botvinnik. Each time, they meet in the woods near Geneva, Switzerland.

But Botvinnik - portrayed by Robert Maher - is more interested in talking about Willie Nelson and other lighthearted topics.

Written by Lee Blessing, "A Walk in the Woods" was nominated both for the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize.

Bruzzini said he and Maher performed the play before in 1993. They jumped at the opportunity to reprise their roles.

"I wanted to do it again," Bruzzini said. "But I only wanted to do it with him because that was the dynamic of the first production."

While the play starts with two men trying come to an agreement, it becomes more than that over its nearly two-hour running time.

"It's focusing on the relationship of these two men as they get to know each other," Bruzzini said.

Bruzzini said he hopes audience members see a little bit of themselves in the two characters.

"I hope that they get some sense of hope from it," he said. "Things can be different. It just takes effort."

"A Walk in the Woods" is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc. The assistant director is Aimee Kennedy. Mary Beth deBolt and Dawn Herbst are the production managers. And Becky Poole is the stage manager.

For information, visit wheatondrama.org.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> "A Walk in the Woods," staged by Wheaton Drama Inc.</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 8 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday, July 23-25; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26 </p> <p class="News"><b>Where: </b>Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton</p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $10</p> <p class="News"><b>Info: </b>(630) 260-1820 or <a href="http://wheatondrama.org" target="new">wheatondrama.org</a></p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=308277">Director's take on 'Walk in the Woods'<span class="date">[7/23/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>