INTERVIEW: ‘Luft Gangster’ tells story of WWII veteran Louis Fowler

Playwright Lowell Byers has crafted a new drama that tells the gut-wrenching true story of World War II veteran Sgt. Louis Fowler, who was held prisoner in a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp for 13 months. Luft Gangster is currently playing an extended run at New York City’s Sheen Center through April 30.

Directed by Tony winner Austin Pendleton, Luft Gangster depicts the events that occurred after Fowler bailed out of his B-24 bomber and was captured behind enemy lines. The title of the piece comes from Joseph Goebbels and his propaganda machine that attempted to characterize American flyers as criminals released from prison in time to fight in WWII. Despite his tortuous existence throughout those 13 months, Fowler kept his mind on one day regaining his freedom.

Luft Gangster, which is a production of Nylon Fusion Theatre Company and Cloverleaf Collective, stars Ralph Byers, Eric T. Miller, Andy Truschinski, Noel Joseph Allain, Seth James, Paul Bomba, Casandera M.J. Lollar, Sean Hoagland and Gabe Bettio. In fact, Lowell Byers, the playwright, also plays a role in the drama.

Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Lowell Byers about his writing debut and how he learned of Fowler’s story. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

How did Luft Gangster begin? What inspired you to tell this story about Sgt. Louis Fowler?

I originally wanted to go to Columbia, South Carolina, to interview my great-grand uncle, Ashby Dick, regarding his WWII story. I found out that I had a cousin named Louis Fowler, who also had a WWII story. I divided my day up scheduling two interviews, concluding at Lou Fowler’s house that evening. He fed me dinner, and we started the interview at 9:30 p.m. He kept telling me more of his experiences, and we didn’t finish until 2 a.m. Needless to say, I felt rather guilty the next morning about keeping him up that late. I began drafting the play on the flight home to New York. More and more, as I listened to the recordings of our interview, I realized how truly remarkable and unique this story really was.

What were some of the challenges of artistically adapting the real-life story to the stage?

We are fortunate enough to have my cousin Louis Fowler with us today. Whenever you dramatize a true story, about a living individual, there is always the fear that they won’t approve of your depiction of them. Fortunately, my cousin Louis Fowler has read the play, and I have his full support. He has been incredibly gracious to share his full story with me and go into depth on some rather horrific and shocking events.

Even though this play dives directly into the darkness of his POW experience, I felt it was very important to show, if not a lighter, at least a more life-affirming side. Lou was a fighter. His struggle to survive, not lose hope, and give up, as many did, was based on his adherence to what he called his, “Three P’s,” persistence, patience and perseverance. I wanted to honor the many individuals Lou met and told me about in the POW camp. These were people, American and even Nazi, that he lived with and bonded with, in spite of the fact that some of them were enemies. The price of war is that everyone suffers, on both sides.

Lou’s family has also been incredibly supportive as well, and we are fortunate enough to have his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all attending the performance this April.

Could you describe how Cloverleaf Collective works?

Cloverleaf Collective is a group of writers all working to create new original work in theatre, film and TV. I believe that all writers benefit from some feedback, and this is a group of collaborative artists, looking to share and develop good stories. The story always comes first. Our next project is a web series with a Cloverleaf member, Jake Diamond, based on a high school reunion. The series focuses on four has-beens in high school and how it’s never too late to take ownership of your own life.

How has it been working with director Austin Pendleton?

Austin is a true actor’s director. His dramaturgical feedback and guidance have taken this play to the next level. Austin has captured the haunting and awe-inspiring feeling in this production that I first felt when I interviewed Lou back in 2009. Besides being a directorial genius, he’s a respectful collaborator. He encourages discussion with the actors and among the creative team, which demands respect for the underlying premise. He and I both see Luft Gangster as an acknowledgement of the human cost of war. He has been incredibly devoted to this play, for which I am truly grateful.

What do you hope the audience takes away from the play?

I hope the audience takes from this production a deeper appreciation for the gift of life. When Lou shares this story, he expresses, as only someone can who has seen the randomness of death, how one can easily underestimate the joy of simply being alive. Lou was fortunate enough to be one of the few who actually made it out. Fate spared him many times, and he was able to return home. No matter what your politics are, the human cost of war, on both sides, winning and losing, right or wrong, always needs to be acknowledged. It is a truth that is most clear to those who have served.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Luft Gangster, a production of Nylon Fusion Theatre Company and Cloverleaf Collective, is written by and stars Lowell Byers. The drama is directed by Austin Pendleton and runs at the Sheen Center through April 30. Click here for more information and tickets.