Aida Leguizamon, Nick Freeman, and Natalie Remus in the front row. Back row, left to right, David Wiles, Mike Lubke, and Brent Girihalva. photo courtesy Scott Pakudaitis

Sometimes it takes guts to walk the talk and live by your convictions, especially if you have to break the law. The Minnesota Eight knew this back in 1970. To be drafted to fight in an unjust war in Vietnam (from 1965-1969 the death toll reached over 35,000) seemed unconscionable. For them, the only way to stop these escalating fatalities was to abolish the draft, get rid of the draft cards. The solution for these eight people was to raid Selective Services and destroy all of their draft files. Raids like this soon occurred all over the country causing searing conflicts and rioting. Were the Minnesota Eight committing treason or is their story the desperate act of a peace crime?

These documented facts were richly theatricalized in a gripping world premiere play written by Doris Baizley titled Peace Crimes: The Minnesota Eight vs. The War staged by The History Theatre under the direction of Ron Peluso and in collaboration with the U of M’s University Theatre & Dance Departments and in production at the Rarig Center February 22- March 9.

Baizley’s play focuses mostly with the lives of three of the eight men involved, though all eight are featured in a back and forth time line set from 1968-1973. Their story unraveled on stage in a skeletal setting consisting of an openly bare stage with chairs strewn around for 18 actors to play multiple characters in scenes of protests, court trials and imaginary settings. Iron bars are flown down and up again to represent the prison scenes. The protagonist Frank (an earnest Nick Freeman) is a seminary student who befriends free thinking radical Diane (a spot-on quintessential blonde hippy motivator Natalie Remus) during the Vietnam War. Frank feels outraged by the United States’ governmental corruption involving Vietnam and adamantly decides to do all he can to prevent men in Minnesota from being drafted. “Vietnam is the first spiritual war,” he declares, and refuses to fight and even befriends the radically charged Black Panthers movement until he discovers their use of weapons.

historical photo courtesy Cheryl Walsh Bellville

The Minnesota Eight’s story is effectively dramatized with illuminating insights into their brave and volatile machinations of burglary and draft dodging. Two other characters, Pete (shy and laid back Mike Lubbe) and Brad (neurotic ball of fire John Riedlinger) play out their troubles with emotive intensity. Towards the end of the play the take-no-prisoners radical Brad openly wells up with a heartening epiphany. He says, “Vietnam has taught us to try and feed and clothe people everywhere.” The emotionally charged confrontation between Pete and his mother (finely nuanced Kirby Bennett) nails core issues the Minnesota Eight deal with: Pete and the others insist on pleading not guilty because their “Defense of Necessity” plea states the accused committed their acts to save lives. His mother feels pleading guilty is necessary to spare her son a felony record for life.

Director Ron Peluso, dramaturg Polly Carl and one of the Minnesota Eight Pete Simmons discussed the process of putting together this engrossing production in an Artist’s Circle discussion that took place one hour before the opening night’s performance. Carl discussed the process of paring the work down and what would make the story theatrical and exciting to watch so characters could be more fully fleshed out and create a full arc of development. She thought why not concentrate on just four of the men involved, but then remembered, “Minnesota Four seemed wrong, so we went back to eight.”

Nick Freeman and Natalie Remus photo courtesy Scott Pakudaitis

Peluso talked about the comfort level of what a person must go through when being portrayed on the stage by actors. He remarked, “Many people hate photographs of themselves, even less, plays about themselves.” Simmons responded, “I’m not nervous about the play. I’m emotional about it.” He reflected in summary, “When we were arrested, it was 25 years after World War II and now, 35 years today our society doesn’t take lessons or think about the past—internalize this. Amazes me. People should stand up for what they should be responsible [for].” In reference to Vietnam, Peluso added, “We spent 37 years not talking about our past. People have covered up their personal trauma.”

From the program notes he states: “Just as we are the products of our personal experiences, our nation is also the result of our collective experiences. The Vietnam War changed us and, like any traumatic event, we can learn from this experience only if we talk about it and not bury it. We can learn from our past, but only if we start the conversation within our communities. The theatre experience is a communion—a coming together of people and ideas—to assist us in understanding one another and to make us better citizens of this great country.”

One unique aspect of this production is that the events took place at the University of Minnesota back in 1970. Why not stage it right where it began. So the University’s department of theatre collaborates with St. Paul’s History Theatre using both professional and student actors and technicians.

Michael Reinbold, SJA resident web reporter, freelances as a writer and does banquet catering at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice, low Christology and collaborative ministry, Michael also participates as a mass reader, SJA Choir member and Team Oz Red Ribbon rider. With an extensive background in theater, photography, fundraising, social activism and as an arts council panelist, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring social growth and witty exchanges.

Peace Crimes has a limited run so get out soon to experience this courageously seminal production about the great brave Minnesota Eight.

Location: the University of Minnesota’s Rarig Center
330 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN

Running February 24 – March 9
Wednesday and Thursday evenings: 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday evenings: 8:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. matinees: 2/29 & 3/07
Sunday 2:00 p.m. matinees: 2/24; 3/02; & 3/09

Call Now for Tickets
Box Office: 651-292-4323

Buy tickets and get directions also at: www.historytheatre.com
For group rates (12+ people) call 651-292-4320