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Ship a fitting site for 'Caine Mutiny'

What better place to stage a taut World War II drama than aboard a refurbished vessel from that historic period?

CHANNELSIDE - The smells of sea water and fresh paint wafted through the drafty air of what used to be the SS American Victory's cargo hold. An audience of white plastic patio chairs sat on wooden planks awaiting patrons to warm them.

Director Skip Volkle and his 15-member cast, all clad in Navy attire, were preparing for tonight's opening performance of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. The play is an adaptation of Herman Wouk's 1951 Pulitzer-prize winning novel. Set in 1943-44, the play spotlights a court martial of the captain of the USS Caine who's threatened by fellow officers who want to take control of the ship due to mishaps during a voyage in a typhoon.

"We've been working like crazy to put this together, said Volkle.

And what better place to perform a play involving a warship than aboard the SS American Victory? The 68-year-old merchant cargo vessel, which served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, made its debut last year as a cruise liner and mariner's museum based out of the Channelside district.

"Back in September, the Victory went out on its inaugural passenger cruise. I was one of the people that took the cruise. The minute I walked up the gangway up into the No. 3 hold, the first thing that struck me was, "God, what a great place to do a show.' "

Volkle, a retired lieutenant commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, has directed various shows throughout the Tampa Bay area.

The cargo hold turned theater holds an audience of about 150 people. Two steel support beams act as a proscenium to a 20- by 32-foot stage. The minimalist stage design, which has sets of a court and a hotel room, allows actors and crew members to focus on the natural flow of the production's intricate dialogue.

"We thought that the combination of a story set in World War II in the ship would really give the story more punch," said Dr. Jay Martin, the American Victory's executive director. "To the best of our knowledge, the two have never been married before."

The cast consists of bay area volunteers with various theater backgrounds and experiences.

"It has been a very interesting experience for me to see so many veteran actors. There is just an amazing wealth of talent in this cast," said cast member Chris Eberhard of Pasco County. "You can see this transformation process occur and it's just, "Wow!' It's amazing."

The three-week production aboard the World War II cargo ship will benefit the museum on the ship.

"It's all a fundraiser, and everybody is donating their time," Volkle said. "It's just a good deal for everybody."

- Jonathan Milton can be reached at 226-3374 or at milton@sptimes.com

The SS American Victory is hosting The Caine Mutiny Court Martial beginning tonight at 8 p.m. Additional performances will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26 and 27, and April 2 and 3, and at 3 p.m. Sunday and March 28. The SS American Victory is docked behind the Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Tickets are $25 for a museum tour and show. For details, call 228-8766.