(L-R) Kathryn Meisle and Peter Strauss as Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham and senior editor involved in deciding whether or not to publish the infamous Pentagon Papers in 'Top Secret.' (Joan Marcus)

NEW YORK—Whether or not you were around in 1971, “Top Secret,” with text by Geoffrey Cowan and Leroy Aarons, will reawaken you to the tense political climate surrounding the Vietnam War.

A 7,000-page document describing the true origins of the Vietnam War had recently surfaced, and a battle ensued between the major newspapers that wanted to inform the public and the political factions, including President Richard Nixon, who would rather squelch publication of the heretofore secret Pentagon Papers, as they came to be known.

Two major papers were competing to publish: The New York Times and The Washington Post. But The Times was quickly slapped with an injunction not to publish and they obeyed the edict. However, The Washington Post had not yet been put to the test.

Herein lies the drama of “Top Secret.” Post publisher Katharine Graham (Kathryn Meisle) was ultimately the final arbiter in making a decision whether or not to publish, but not without input from Post senior editor Ben Bradlee (Peter Strauss), various journalists, and cautious attorney Brian Kelly (Jack Gilpin, who, ironically, doubles in the role of H. R. Haldeman).

The situation was fraught with danger for The Post and its employees: the Nixon administration was charging treason. The major part of the second act of “Top Secret” is taken up with the very real fears and soul-searching experienced by those involved with the decision. In fact, several journalists threatened to resign if the Papers were not published. Finally, Graham gives the go-ahead.

The writers have utilized actual transcripts of the trial that was held as well as recorded transmissions from Nixon himself.

Originally written as a radio play—it was initially produced by L.A. Theatre Works for National Public Radio, winning the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Gold and Silver Awards for best radio production of the year—it was revised by Geoffrey Cowan for the stage. I would quibble somewhat with the staging, or lack thereof, of Act 1, for it is quite static with characters behind microphones; however, it opens up more dramatically in Act 2, when the most vital action takes place.

One cannot quibble with the actors, however. Under the meticulous direction of John Rubinstein, the cast of 11 portrays 25 characters. Standouts to my mind include Ms. Meisle, Peter Strauss, Larry Pine, and James Gleason as the hard-nosed, finicky Judge Martin Peel.

Others in the cast are Diane Adair, Larry Bryggman, John Getz, Matt McGrath, Russell Soder, and Peter Van Norden.

There is no doubt that the publication of the Pentagon Papers changed the course of history: the Vietnam conflict could have been prolonged, the Watergate break-ins might never have been discovered, and Richard Nixon might never have resigned from the Presidency.

Obviously, an important event in American history, and a reminder for vigilance, that makes for taut, important theater.

Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers
New York Theatre Workshop
79 East 4th Street
Tickets: 212-279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com
Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Closes: March 28

Diana Barth writes and publishes “New Millennium,” an arts newsletter. For information: www.diabarth@juno.com.