Iron Horse Theatre Company Presents: Trapped at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater
By CLAIRE STEVENS
London Cain’s play Trapped follows former congressman Jim Traficant during his time in solitary confinement after being convicted of federal corruption charges in 2001. It dives into the mind of Traficant, played by Andrew Pivarnik Jr., as he battles his conscience in the weeks before his release after seven years in prison. Traficant is visited by Lisa (Amy Sikora Baschnagel), a stubborn, confident woman who challenges him to admit he has done wrong, and the two verbally spar as Traficant refuses to accept the reality she imposes on him. While these conversations with Lisa occur in his head, Traficant also interacts with the Correctional Officer (Eric Vollmer), who shows him some sympathy because of a complex history slowly revealed between them. Their relationship unfolds throughout the show as Traficant learns to appreciate his friendship, or perhaps manipulates him to get what he wants. In the end, Traficant is the only one who can decide what is true and how to move forward, and his inner turmoil drives the action throughout the show.
Choosing to write a play about a real person, especially one as complex as a politician, is no easy feat. Cain effectively combines real events with imaginative interpretations of what might have been going through Traficant’s mind, creating a piece that is rooted in fact while also exploring possible thoughts or alternative endings. The play begins in darkness with audio talking about Traficant and his notable achievements, as well as the case he lost that ultimately landed him in the prison cell where the scene opens. Working in the political sphere means facing conflict every day of your career, and Traficant was no exception. Both in real life and in the show, conflict paves the way forward, as choices must be made and past decisions reckoned with.
While interactions between Traficant and Lisa throughout the show offer insight into his past conflicts, the show itself revolves around an inner conflict that was not visible to the public eye. Lisa’s presence reveals Traficant’s hidden guilt and uncertainty behind his constant claims of innocence. A particularly fun running joke throughout the show is Traficant’s wig, which Lisa brings him and he hides from the correctional officer. At first, the officer doesn’t even notice the wig when Traficant forgets to remove it. Still, the officer’s acknowledgment at the end of the performance raises the question of how real Lisa was and whether she also convinced Traficant to accept harsh realities about himself.
This was the first time I attended a show at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty, and I was impressed by the beautiful, quaint space I walked into. Cain, who wrote and directed the show, came out before the start to welcome the audience, talk about his process, and thank the many wonderful colleagues who helped put everything together. I enjoyed the sense of comfort and community that was created, as well as his call for feedback after the show’s first performance. His dedication and desire to share live theater with the community are admirable, and, similar to Trapped, he capitalizes on the idea that small actions can make big changes.
London Cain is the author or co-author of several works including: 12:52 the Mike Webster Story, The Golden Rose, Angel of Mercy and the screenplay, Sonny and Mike. London is the Founder of The Iron Horse Theatre Company where he has written, produced, directed and acted in various stage productions over the past ten years.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Iron Horse Theatre Company Presents: Trapped at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater September 17 – 26, 2026 at 7:30pm., and September 20th at 2:00pm. For tickets visit https://kellystrayhorntheater.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SVO000005W4jx2AC
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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