When I saw the title The March my mind envisioned Chippendale-Dancer looking studs marching while wearing Drummer Boy pants that had been ironed with starch. Shortly thereafter, someone corrected me and said The March is an adaptation of a novel bearing the same name, written by the great author, E.L. Doctorow. In fact, E.L. Doctorow'sThe March was so adored that it was a freakin' Pulitzer Prize Finalist!
 
E.L. Doctorow is noted for creating historical narratives that tell the truth, but not the whole truth. For instance, Doctorow is known to put characters of his imagination into his works, as he also does in The March. The tactic seems to serve as a means to be the intimate voice of many people affected similarly and differently by a historical event(s), making his stories that much more universal, moving, interesting and thought-provoking.
 
The March is a depiction of General William Tecumseh Sherman and his 60,000 Union Solders' march, killing machine and subsequent massacre and conquer of the Confederate Army, as well as how they and other northerners' and southerners' were hit by it.
 
The March was adapted for the stage, not by some Schmuck or loser, but by majorly talented Frank Galati. Galati is a member of the prominent Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in Chicago, and has been the winner of Tony Awards. Galati also directed the big ticket-seller, Ragtime, which is another reason why his talent is nothing to sneeze at.
 
Regardless, I still questioned how a Debbie Downer's dream subject matter was going to go down onstage without the sights of audience members bolting for the exit doors, or sounds of ballistic bawling or roaring snores.
 

I saw The March at the Steppenwolf Theatre in chi-town, and I learned only 2 percent of the play's dialogue had been changed from that in the novel. I additionally found the dialogue included sentiments and information E.L. Doctorow had gotten from General Sherman's multiple self-documentations, and actual letters solders had written for their families back home.
 
The heart-strings pulling, yet witty and delightful as all heck dialogue, was the most enjoyable part of the play. To elaborate, although members of the audience body surfing during the production probably would have been heavily frowned upon, The March was uplifting enough on its' own that it did not need it.
 
Further, due to the plays good plot, themes, dialogue, acting, music and set design, it was a completely enthralling work of art done keenly by Galati. A portion of the cast is made up of: Ian Barford, Carrie Coon, Shannon Matesky, Harry Groener, Alana Arenas, James Vincent Meredith, Philip Brannon and Stephen Lois Grush. Some of the thespians have been in other plays, films and television shows you have likely seen or heard of. There are 26 actors in The March, including pretty ladies and male hotties, that one of the phrases in the play goes, could "make your hooves fly!" Yes in my book, Frank Galati's adaptation of The March ranks high.
 
For ticket information please visit: www.steppenwolf.org