Being a fan of playwright Richard Greenberg, I was excited to see the play, Take Me Out, at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I knew nothing of the play accept that a friend of mine who is in it said he drops his pants. I was in. Not what I anticipated. The play is about Baseball. All I was thinking is, how long can this stay interesting. Well, it didn't STAY interesting...it GOT interesting. The themes that spun through this web of drama kept you wondering whats next.
Opening the play with a slow start we learn that the Superstar Baseball player, Darren Lemming, played by Yjohnzail Mack, comes "out" about his homosexuality to the public. We later find that one of his best friends on a rival team had encouraged him to be honest about life, not knowing his friends secret, and so Darren acts on it. My mind goes straight to the prejuduce Darren will face in the locker room from his team mates. Not the case. Which shows us all how the understanding of this lifestyle is much more accepted by the mainstream. Ok, so what can happen now? Well, Darren's good friend and team mate, Kippy, played by Chance Havens, is the rough around the edges, tatooed, kindhearted narrator and adds a refreshing contradiction to what we expect of this kind of character. And then we meet Shane Mungitt, played by Khris Feazell. Shane is an unknown transfer pitcher, who is know a part of Darren's team. Shane doesn't ever talk until Darren and Kippy approach him and pick his brain. Through this conversation we find that the outstanding pitcher isn't much for words because he is shy, but because he is dumb. Literally. Coming from a childhood of foster care, and lack of education. His Midwestern roots show us that he doesn't have the progressive mindset of the rest of the team, and most of a modern society. Racism starts to shine through. See, not only is Darren gay, but he is black. And this professional baseball team has a mix of races. Once Shane gets comfortable with his new fame, he starts to talk, and probably shouldn't. In an Interview with the press, Shane exploits his racism and views about his multicultural team. The man who never said a word. has said too much. So much, that he is suspended from the team.
The play slowly progresses with themes dealing with levels of masculinity, what baseball means to people and a great monologue by my favorite character, Mason played by Kevin Sanchez. He compares baseball to hope in a Democratic society. Talking about the game, Mason says "Equality, of opportunity. Everyone is given exactly the same chance. And the opportunity to exercise that chance at his own pace....In baseball there is no clock. What would be more generous than to give everyone all these opportunities and the time to seize them in, as well." This monologue puts this whole play into perspective. He goes on to say, "I like to believe that something about being human is...good. And I think what's best about us is manifested in or desire to show respect for one another. For what we can do." Isn't that what we assume? Then what happens when there is a variable that changes that. That's Shane.
Shane gets to come back to the team. Darren is furious that he has to play with a blatant racist. The two men have an altercation in the locker room before a game, and during the game when Shane is pitching, he throws a wild pitch that kills the batter, who happens to be Darren's good friend. He too is black.
As the play ends, Khris Feazell does a captivating scene as Shane. The best one in my opinion. While at the police station he talks with Darren and Kippy. I actually feel sorry for this guy. During his heart wrenching monologue he says, "I'm not suppose to talk, I don't know how. I am suppose to throw, and now they won't let me throw!" This was one of those plays that is so relevant to today, how old ways of thinking in America have progressed away from racism to civil rights on all planes. But unlike Democracy, baseball acknowledges loss. Someone has to lose, even though we strive for equality in opportunity, other variables contribute to inequality in the outcome.
As one critic put it, this play is part essay on baseball and homosexuality in American masculinity, part contemporary Greek tragedy, with Darren as the hero whose overwhelming pride leads to his downfall, Kippy as the messenger, and Mason as the chorus. Betty Karlen directs a surprise, and what is left is thoughts about where our country has been, and where our culture is going.
Well played my dear, sounds very interesting.
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