The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel

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Original Broadway poster. Due to popular demand, the limited run was extended to September 3.

The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel is a play by David Rabe.

Rabe's first play in his Vietnam War trilogy that continued with Sticks and Bones and Streamers, its story is bracketed by scenes depicting the death of the emotionally stunted and mentally disturbed title character, who mindlessly grabs at a live hand grenade tossed into the Saigon brothel he's visiting. A born loser who is drafted into the United States Army, Hummel immediately encounters difficulties with both his sergeants and fellow recruits, none of whom trust him. As he stumbles through basic training and closer to the battlefield, he is guided by Ardell, a mysteriously ambiguous character who seemingly is an officer but serves as Hummel's conscience and a Greek chorus-like figure as well. Although injured repeatedly, Hummel is so determined to be a soldier he passes up a chance to go home, a decision that ultimately proves fatal.

Under the auspices of the New York Shakespeare Festival, the off-Broadway production, directed by Jeff Bleckner, opened on May 19, 1971 at The Public Theater. The cast included William Atherton as Hummel and Albert Hall as Ardell, with Edward Herrmann, Garrett Morris, and Earl Hindman in supporting roles.

After eleven previews, the Broadway production, directed by David Wheeler, opened on April 24, 1977 at the Longacre Theatre, where it ran for 117 performances. The cast included Al Pacino as Hummel and Gustave Johnson as Ardell, with Paul Guilfoyle, Lance Henriksen, and Joe Fields in supporting roles.