Not all heroes wear capes — in fact, according to this semester’s Boot & Buskin production, some heroes may wear aprons and work in food service! But what happens when these “American heroes” are threatened by the age-old foes of bureaucracy, angry customers, and looming bankruptcy?
A dark comedy set in a sub shop, American Hero is an absurd yet poignant play about three “sandwich artists” facing an increasingly strange series of events at their place of work, a show that is equally hilarious, devastating, and surreal. Performances will take place at the W. Carroll Coyne Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, March 28 & 29 and April 3-5 at 8 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on the final day.
Directed by alumni Alisha Espinoza the play stars freshmen Joe Calveric, Francesca Smith, and Nicco Connelly, sophomore Grace Crooks, and senior Carly Nicolai. Designers include Professor Ola Kraszpulska (set and props), Katie Rotondi (lights) and Chloe Budziszewski (costumes).
The play follows Sheri, an anxious eighteen year old juggling two jobs; Ted, a middle-aged former corporate banker; and Jamie, a sardonic single mother of three, as they are left to fend for themselves in a failing strip mall sub shop in post-recession America. Will they band together to overcome these obstacles together, or will their differences threaten to risk losing their jobs?
“American Hero premiered off-broadway in 2014, and then, the play was ahead of its time,” Espinoza shared. She discussed the irony of the play likely being considered a “cute little show about a sub shop” back then. “But now in 2025, it’s a very timely play,” given the current social and political environment, she explained.
“Even though American Hero takes place post-recession, there’s definitely aspects that I feel the audience can find to be relatable when it comes to the world we’re living in now,” Smith shared, reflecting on her role as Sheri. “Being able to be in the shoes of one of the characters who is dealing with that struggle of being able to survive in a world that seems to be against you really gave me a new perspective on life, and that’s why it’s so important to see this show: to know you can get past the challenges that are thrown at you.”
Espinoza described the cast and crew as a group of “go-getters” who “really care about the work.” She said that it “is a lovely gift, working with a group of students who care about each other and care about the project, but also love to laugh.” She also added that “the cast has been really brave about working with difficult material, dark comedies are hard and everyone has really stepped up to the task of playing in the world.”
Stage manager and junior Aubrey Dunham shared her experiences, citing American Hero as her first time in the role. “There was a big learning curve for me, but in the end I learned some incredibly valuable skills along the way,” she said, also expressing her appreciation for having been able to work with Espinoza, who “has pushed me to be the best that I can be.”
“I’m so incredibly proud of this cast and crew, I think we’ve worked really hard over the past few months to put together something really special,” Nicolai shared. “I’m really excited for people to come see the show, and it’s important in the way that we can both hold space for the serious reality, but also laugh at the ridiculousness of it all — it’s cathartic.”
Tickets are on sale online (and enter promo code HERO25 at check out) or by calling the theater box office at (315) 445-4200. Prices are $5 for students, $10 for faculty and staff, $15 for senior citizens and $20 for the general public. As a special incentive for faculty and staff, 2-for-1 tickets are being offered to the opening performance.
