Biloxi Blues takes the ‘Boro to World War II

Laurianna Cull

“Biloxi Blues” tells a story about a group of young men who get drafted into the Army during World War II and face the trials of basic training camp.

The travelling group Montana Repertory Theater will present this show for one night only at the Performing Arts Center today at 7:30 p.m.

“Biloxi Blues” tells the story of a twenty-year-old Eugene Jerome from Brooklyn who was drafted in 1943. He has to now face the trials of moving far away from home to Biloxi, Miss. for basic training.

“When I was an undergrad in college, this show came to my school. It’s one of my favorite plays. It’s just a timeless story because it’s about men going off to war, and it has a universal appeal, and anything Neil Simon does is great,” Stacie McDaniel, house manager, said.

While in boot camp, Eugene learns to cope with fellow soldiers from different parts of America, he falls in love and loses his virginity under less than ideal circumstances, all while having to navigate around his eccentric drill instructor.

“It’s a struggle that the men are having during training camp, and they are all trying to deal with their anxieties and stress together. What a normal eighteen or nineteen boy goes through, they are going through too, but they’re going through it in basic training,” Taryn Mason, box office manager, said.

Neil Simon’s famous show was adapted into a movie in 1988 starring Matthew Broderick and Christopher Walken. Both the play and the screen adaptation contain comedic characters and situations.

“It’s such a great comedy, and the group of friends in the show are really hilarious with how they interact with one another. The show takes place in such a serious time in U.S. history, but these boys manage to make the best of a lousy situation,” Aubrie Harris, freshman history major, said.

Ticket prices are $10 for students, $20 for faculty and $24 for general admission.