Stephen Sachs documents an American family torn apart by Jan. 6 in his new play
LOS ANGELES — Just before the premiere of his powerful new documentary play, "Fatherland," Stephen Sachs — co-founder of the Fountain Theatre — announced he would be stepping down as artistic director.
This was a solemn moment for L.A. theater. The Fountain has long been one of the city's most dynamic intimate theaters, and Sachs has led with tremendous integrity. Leave it to Facebook to misread the moment. The social media site was initially blocking posts about "Fatherland," including an early rave review that members of the company were trying to share.
Perhaps the play's title set off algorithmic alarm bells. In any case, this censorship snafu, though soon sorted out, was not what the occasion called for.
"Fatherland," which is receiving its world premiere at the Fountain, dramatizes through verbatim sources (court testimony, case evidence and public remarks) the story of a family divided by the Jan. 6 insurrection. The case, chronicling a son's decision to become an informant against his father, has elements of a modern-day Sophoclean tragedy. (The play has been extended through April 29.)
Guy Reffitt was the first defendant to be convicted for his involvement in the Jan. 6 assault on the
