By Domenic Poli
For the Valley Advocate
Those who missed the theatrical debut of “Swamped,” the new play written and directed by Wendell resident Court Dorsey, at the Wendell Meetinghouse in October can see it be performed in December in Hadley.
“Swamped” centers around the relationship between The Captain, a widowed and grouchy Vietnam War veteran, and Clove, his transgender personal care assistant. The Captain is played by Joe Laur, and Clove is played by Izzy Miller. Steve Eldredge plays The Captain’s dead war buddy’s son and Heather Willey has been cast as that man’s partner.
“I’m hoping that people in this really divided time see in this play a path forward,” Dorsey said.
Dorsey explained he became concerned during the Biden administration that leftists were “riding high” even though people in certain parts of the country felt left behind.
“I was afraid that if we didn’t all take steps together that we would end up with further divisions,” he said, “and I wanted to try to have a compassionate look at both sides of this divide. Through the relationship between Captain and Clove we have an image of reconciliation … that can actually heal what’s going on.”
“Despite the age [difference] and the background and the outlook on the world being very different, there’s an authenticity that connects Clove and The Captain,” Laur said. “I like to say I’m ‘Captain-adjacent.’ I know this guy. This guy’s my dad, my uncles, guys who were just a few years older than me that served in Vietnam. And I have a sort of similar gruff, no-bullshit character [to] The Captain.”
“Swamped” marks Laur’s return to the stage after a 50-year absence. He studied acting and directing at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and worked with The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, appearing in “The Collection,” “Androcles and the Lion” and “Richard II.” He has spent decades leading men’s workshops and consulting with organizations.
Like Clove, Miller is 20 years old and transgender. She learned about the role through someone involved with a Greenfield Community College production she was costuming.
“I think I’ve come to appreciate Clove as a very passionate individual — she’s passionate about her work, she’s passionate about people,” she said. “And I think that that drive is really what we see the most of throughout the play and where it goes and under what circumstances it presents itself has different consequences.”
