Streamers

Streamers (1976), a play by David Rabe. [Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, 478 perf.; NYDCC Award.] An army barracks seems like a microcosm of 1965 America. Among the soldiers are Billy ( Paul Rudd), an idealist who sees himself as a typical American; Roger ( Terry Alexander), an African American who has made a precarious peace with an alien society; Richie ( Peter Evans), a young man disturbed by homosexual problems; and Martin ( Michael Kell), a boy so upset with army life he is prepared to commit suicide. Into their midst comes Carlyle ( Dorian Harewood), a bitter, vicious, trouble‐making black man. The others recognize they must purge him to save their society, but they fail. Carlyle goes on a murderous rampage, and Billy is one of his victims. The play was perceived as an allegory of the American scene of the time, when large cities were subject to burning, rioting, and looting and the dilemma this presented for many Americans. The drama was presented at Lincoln Center by the New York Shakespeare Festival when Joe Papp was running both organizations.