Theater Review: American Hero, Vermont Stage | Theater | Seven Days [Video]

The three main characters in Vermont Stage‘s production of American Hero are a comic lineup of coping strategies for minimum-wage earners. Nothing can penetrate Jamie’s don’t-give-a-shit armor. Ted proclaims he’s too good for the work but snaps to attention to obey the rules. And Sheri, juggling two McJobs, is the portrait of the service-worker zombie rationing her energy by staying in the shadows. That’s what it takes to reconcile earning $7.25 an hour with any shred of self-worth. That and a huge sense of humor.

Bess Wohl’s 2013 comedy comes right to the edge of diatribe but steers clear of heavy moralizing. Like a Bruce Springsteen song, the play delivers some acute character details as it asks us to take a long look at people working …