A Few Good Men is a title best known for its film adaptation starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Jack Nicholson. The movie is based on Aaron Sorkin’s stage play of the same name, and is quite a popular show on professional and regional theater stages. It is less frequently found to be put on by a high school. But this past November, Xaverian’s fine and performing arts department presented two sold-out shows of A Few Good Men. “I had a college professor who instilled in me a thought which I take with me when choosing shows for a season: choose shows that seem just a bit out of reach,” recalls theater director, Ms. Julianne O’Connor. “In doing so, you are constantly raising the bar and reminding yourself that anything is attainable if there is enough drive behind it.”

The production, which is set in the late 80s, revolves around the death of William T. Santiago, a Private in the U.S. Marines, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lawyers Daniel Kaffee (Jonathan Cimino ’25), Joanne Galloway (Brenna Griffin, Ursuline Academy ’25), and Sam Weinberg (Colby Millington ’27) are tasked with defending the two Marines charged with Santiago’s murder, which leads them into a web of dark secrets. The cast proved their dedication to the show throughout the entire rehearsal process, from cast workouts before rehearsals to a culmination in the much-feared “Military Haircut day,” when a dozen cast members met at Kate’s Hair Salon in Westwood and got their heads shaved. However, not everyone had to go through such a drastic change to get into character. Colby Millington ’27 felt a sense of familiarity in his character: “Playing a character like Lt. Sam Weinberg was great because he acts just like I do, so I was able to be myself on stage,” he says.  

One of the most striking visuals of the show was the 18-foot-long wooden American flag that was suspended on wire over the stage. The set, built by students and set builder Bret Bahe, was outfitted with LED lightstrips, and illuminated the stage even when the stage lights were out.  Equally as impressive were the costumes of the show, most of which were real military uniforms, generously loaned from friends of the department. These factors came together to create a truly extraordinary show that over 50 students participated in, representing Xaverian, Ursuline Academy, Fontbonne Academy, Archbishop Williams High School, and Bishop Feehan High School. Jonathan Cimino ’25 says the excitement for this particular show made the experience unique. “After four years in the department and six different shows I participated in, A Few Good Men was by far the most anticipated show I have ever seen from both faculty and students.” The Friday night show pre-sold over 250 tickets, while Saturday’s show had over 320 reserved. Both nights had a completely full house.

During the last scene of A Few Good Men, the audience sees Santiago standing next to his coffin, with the backdrop of the illuminated American Flag enveloping him in light. In the final moment of the play, Kellan Lockhart ’28 walks onstage in full dress blues and plays military taps on his trumpet. Ms. O’Connor knew the moment would be emotional, but she couldn’t fully prepare for how she felt as the sea of audience members rose to their feet in solemnity. “Being in the theater and experiencing it with more than 400 people around me reminded me that there really isn't anything like live theater,” she says.

Photos by Anna Sawin.
See more photos from Xaverian's production of A Few Good Men here.