(Los Angeles, CA) History gets a bold, irreverent retelling in The Drillmaster, a new comedic play conceived by Jenny Zigrino and co-written with Caleb Zeringue. Centered on the life of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the production revisits a pivotal moment in the American Revolution while unapologetically challenging the way the story has traditionally been told.
Set in 1778, the play transports audiences to Valley Forge at a time when General George Washington’s Continental Army was on the brink of collapse. Disease was rampant, morale was dwindling, and victory felt increasingly out of reach. The solution arrives in the form of an unlikely hero: a middle-aged, polyamorous, openly gay Prussian officer who spoke no English and somehow managed to transform a fractured militia into a disciplined fighting force.
That officer, Baron von Steuben, is portrayed here not just as a military strategist, but as a larger-than-life personality whose presence reshaped the course of American history. As the play asserts with confidence and humor, without von Steuben there is no army, no independence – and perhaps no United States at all.
What sets The Drillmaster apart is its tone. The script leans heavily into innuendo, heightened characterizations, and comedic absurdity, offering playful (and often unexpected) interpretations of well-known historical figures. The humor occasionally veers into the deliberately juvenile, but more often than not, it lands. The result is a production that is genuinely funny, with moments that feel both clever and thoroughly entertaining.
Beneath that humor, however, is a clear and resonant message. The Drillmaster frames itself as “the history they don’t teach you in school,” drawing attention to the ways in which identities like von Steuben’s have been softened, obscured, or erased in traditional narratives. By re-centering a queer, immigrant figure in the founding of the United States, the play pushes back against that historical suppression and offers a more expansive view of the past.
At its core, the production is a celebration of individuality. It embraces the idea that queerness and unconventional relationships are not modern inventions, but enduring parts of human history. That perspective is communicated with both humor and sincerity, ultimately encouraging audiences to embrace their own identities without hesitation or apology.
It is important to note that this experience was a staged reading rather than a fully realized production. Even so, the strength of the writing and performances was evident throughout. The energy, comedic timing, and distinct character voices suggest a piece with significant potential. With full staging, design, and direction, The Drillmaster feels poised to evolve into something even more dynamic and impactful.
As it stands, the play offers a compelling blend of comedy and cultural commentary – one that entertains while also reframing a familiar chapter of American history. It is both playful and purposeful, reminding audiences that the figures who shaped the nation were far more complex (and far more interesting) than the versions often preserved in textbooks.
For more information about The Drillmaster or to support its development into a full production, visit: https://www.thedrillmasterplay.info, and follow the play on Instagram for all the latest updates!
