Days of Rage

It is a well paced show that at times did feel loud, but reflects the energy and intensity of 20 something year old young adults trying to make a political impact. Trip Cullman’s direction stands out, especially during the quick paced transitions. Both the set and the movement reflect the urgency and passion of the characters. The cast is stellar and the characters are well drawn out, my personal favorite was, Lauren Patten as Jenny. Jenny and Hal are the two characters you feel for the most. While I loved Tavi Gevinson as Peggy, I would have liked to understand the character’s motives better. That to me was the only weak point of an otherwise well written and well delivered play.

Days of Rage manages to take you back to the time of Vietnam war, but more importantly it takes you back to your own youth, the time of your life when you think you can change the world, when you feel you are mightier then the mighty, when your blood boils for revolution. And you are desperate for the world to accept your ideals at any cost.

It reminded me of my own rebellion, and of countless others who either rebelled or wanted to rebel. In the aftermath of our personal revolutions, some of us kept on that path, some meandered and some gave up. And this is true of personal, communal, or social revolutions. If you don’t have great leadership and a clarity of purpose, most rebellions at best become a voice for insecurities and desperate desire for attention and at worst land up being misguided escapades.

This to me is the message of Days of Rage. And it is delivered with such gusto and force that you are left asking for more.  Days of Rage is as relevant today as it was in the times of Vietnam war, and that is its victory.