Take Me Out (play)
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Take Me Out is a Tony Award-winning play by Richard Greenberg which deals with homosexuality in baseball.
The play's main character, Darren Lemming, is a popular mixed-race baseball player at the peak of his career when he decides to come out. Several of his teammates react strongly, and the drama plays out over the course of the baseball season with tragic consequences. Because Lemmings plays for the New York Empires and is of mixed racial heritage many believe the inspiration for the character was Derek Jeter.
The play is set in a baseball locker room, and as such has an all-male cast and is usually produced with lengthy full-frontal male nudity.
The play explores themes of homophobia, racism, class and masculinity in sport.
While Glenn Burke was out to teammates and team owners in the 1970s and Billy Bean came out in 1999 after retiring from eight seasons of playing in Major League Baseball, at the time of the writing of this play no major-league baseball player had ever come out to the public during his career. This play is the dramatic exploration of what such an event might be like.
[edit] Awards
- Tony Award, Best Play, 2003
- Tony Award, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Denis O'Hare), 2003
- Tony Award, Best Direction of a Play (Joe Mantello), 2003
- Kevin Kline Awards, 2006, St. Louis
- Outstanding Production of a Play, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
- Outstanding Director (Rob Ruggiero)
- Outstanding Lighting Design (John Lasiter)
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play (Nat DeWolf)
[edit] Productions
[edit] Premiere, 2002
The world premiere of Take Me Out was presented in a co-production by The Donmar Warehouse, London and The Public/New York Shakespeare Festival.
[edit] New York City, 2003
The New York City premiere was at the off-Broadway Anspacher Theatre in the Joseph Papp Public Theater. It later transferred to the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway where it ran 355 performances and garnered the Tony Award for Best Play. It also won two Drama Desk Awards (out of eight nominations), four Lucille Lortel Awards, an Obie Award, and a GLAAD Media Award.
- Produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays and Frederick De Mann
- Directed by Joe Mantello (Tony Award)
- Scenery by Scott Pask
- Costumes by Jess Goldstein
- Lighting by Kevin Adams
- Mason Marzac: Denis O'Hare (Tony Award)
- Darren Lemming: Daniel Sunjata (Theatre World Award, Tony nomination)
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Neal Huff
[edit] San Francisco, 2004
Best of Broadway in San Francisco staged a production of the play in late 2004 and early 2005 at the Golden Gate Theater.
- Darren Lemming: Michael Walton
- Shane Mungitt: Harlon George
- Skipper: Jack Davison
- Kippy Sunderland: Doug Wert
[edit] Florida, 2004
The Florida premiere was at the Caldwell Theatre, Boca Raton, FL and ran June, July and was extended through August of 2004. Nominated for 7 Carbonel Awards including Best Production of a Play; Best Director (Michael Hall); Best Supporting Actor (for Gary Cowling and Michael Polak) and winning for Sound Design (Steve Shapiro).
- Directed by Michael Hall
- Darren Lemming: Sebastian LaCause
- Jason Chenier: Haskell King
- Rodriguez: Danilo Anibaldi
- Toddy Koovitz: Charlie Kevin
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Ian Hersey
- Davey Battle: Lawrence Evans
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Michael Shelton
- Shane Mungitt: Michael Polak
- Mason Marzac: Gary Cowling
- Takeshi Kawabata: Ikuma Isaac
- Martinez: Paul Lasa
[edit] Toronto, 2005
The Canadian premiere was at the CanStage Bluma Appel theater in Toronto from 10 January to 12 February 2005. Given the subject matter of the play, it is notable that the production was sponsored by the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Directed by Morris Panych
- Darren Lemming: Thom Allison
- Jason Chenier: Harry Crane
- Rodriguez: Darrell Dennis
- Teddy Koovitz/Guard: Aaron Franks
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Randy Hughson
- Davey Battle: Dion Johnstone
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Matthew MacFadzean
- Shane Mungitt: Mike Shara
- Mason Marzac: David Storch
- Takeshi Kawabata: Jovanni Sy
- Martinez: Andy Velaszquez
[edit] San Diego, 2005
The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California staged a production of the play from 15 January - 20 February 2005, directed by Joe Mantello, with several members of the original Broadway cast.
- Mason Marzac: T. Scott Cunningham
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Jack Davidson
- Martinez/Policeman: Ramon Fernandez
- Rodriguez/Policeman: Gene Gabriel
- Shane Mungitt: Harlon George
- Toddy Koovitz: Charlie Kevin
- Davey Battle: Charles Parnell
- Jason Chenier: Terrence Riordan
- Darren Lemming: M.D. Walton
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Doug Wert
- Takeshi Kawabata: Robert Wu
[edit] Philadelphia, 2005
The Philadelphia Theatre Company staged a production of the play from 13 May - 12 June 2005, directed by James J. Christy.
- Darren Lemming: Jacques Cowart II
- Shane Mungitt: Josh Shirley
- Kippy Sunderstrom: David Whalen
- Mason Marzac: Kraig Swartz
- Martinez: Armando Batista
- Takeshi Kawabata: James Chen
- Jason Chenier: Todd Gebhart
- Davey Battle: Nathan Hinton
- Toddy Koovitz: John Lumia
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Tom McCarthy
[edit] Washington, DC, 2005
The Studio Theatre Company staged a production of the play from 18 May - 26 June 2005, directed by Kirk Jackson.
- Darren Lemming: M.D. Walton
- Shane Mungitt: Jake Suffian
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Tug Coker
- Mason Marzac: Rick Foucheux
- Rodriguez: Cesar A. Guadamuz
- Martinez: Anthony Gallagher
- Takeshi Kawabata: Ikuma Isaac
- Jason Chenier: Matthew Deiss
- Davey Battle: Jeorge Bennett Watson
- Toddy Koovitz: Joel Reuben Ganz
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Tom Quinn
[edit] Albuquerque, 2005
Troop 147 staged the first non-profit production of the play from June 8-31 2005, directed by Brandon Scott Jensen.
- Darren Lemming: Jesse Siebach
- Shane Mungitt: Justin Young
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Andrew Corbell
- Mason Marzac: Will Klundt
- Martinez: Mateo Sarria
- Rodriguez: Manuel Villalobos
- Takeshi Kawabata: Brandon Pratt
- Jason Chenier: Jeff Andersen
- Davey Battle: Andy Brooks
- Toddy Koovitz: Yannig Morin
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Mark Guest
[edit] St. Louis, 2005
The Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis staged a production of the play from September 21 - October 9, 2005, directed by Rob Ruggiero.
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Tim Altmeyer
- Darren Lemming: Philip Anthony-Rodriguez
- Shane Mungitt: Michael Balsley
- Martinez: Jorge Oliver
- Rodriguez: Jose Joaquin Perez
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Tony Hoty
- Jason Chenier: Jake Schneider
- Toddy Koovitz: Matthew Montelongo
- Davey Battle: Shawn T. Andrew
- Mason Marzac: Nat DeWolf
- Takeshi Kawabata: Ikuma Isaac
[edit] Vancouver, 2006
The Vancouver, BC premiere was staged by Raving Theatre in late 2006 at the Waterfront Theatre, directed by David Blue.
- Darren Lemming: Chris Currie
- Mason Marzac: Jeff Deglow
- Jason Chenier: Sean Cummings
- Martinez: Leon Hanson
- Rodriguez: Nelson Kyle
- Toddy Koovitz: Nelson Carter-Leis
- Davey Battle: James Wilson
- Shane Mungitt: Ryan Cowie
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Stephen Street
- Kippy Sunderland: Robert Duncan
[edit] Milwaukee, 2006
The Milwaukee Chamber Theatre staged a production of the play from 21 April - 7 May 2006, directed by Patrick Holland.
- Darren Lemming: Hasani Issa
- Shane Mungitt: Jonathan Wainwright
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Eddie Collins
- Mason Marzac: John McGivern
- Martinez: Isai Padilla
- Takeshi Kawabata: Lucas K Peterson
- Jason Chenier: Eric Cherney
- Davey Battle: Chike Johnson
- Toddy Koovitz: James Fletcher
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Daniel Mooney
[edit] Phoenix, 2006
The Nearly Naked Theatre Company of Phoenix staged a production of the play from August 19 through September 16 at The Little Theater at Phoenix Theater. The Production was directed by Damon Dering.
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Joseph Kremer
- Darren Lemming: Jamie Cotton
- Shane Mungitt: Dion Johnson
- Martinez: Che Lozano
- Rodriguez: Abaham Martinez
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Ron Hunting
- Jason Chenier: Rhys Gilyeat
- Toddy Koovitz: John Haubner
- Davey Battle: David A. Lucas
- Mason Marzac: Ron May
- Takeshi Kawabata: Brandon Lee
[edit] New Orleans, 2006
To Do Productions staged the New Orleans premiere production of the play from September 1 through October 1 at the Marigny Theatre. It was directed by Glenn Meche.
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Carlos M. Gonzalez
- Darren Lemming: Jason George
- Shane Mungitt: Dave Hotstream
- Martinez: Marten Johnson
- Rodriguez: Joe Roybal
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Steve Patrick
- Jason Chenier: Chris Schlumbrecht
- Toddy Koovitz: Duck Tennant
- Davey Battle: Gemayel Holloway
- Mason Marzac: Steve Kubick
- Takeshi Kawabata: Alphonse Bladergroen
The produciton was revived for a limited run (2007) from January 12 through January 21 at the Marigny Theatre with the following cast changes:
- Shane Mungitt: Duck Tennant
- Jason Chenier: Sean Mellott
- Toddy Koovitz: Frederick Mead
[edit] Albany 2007
Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York staged a production of Take Me Out from January 19 - February 17, 2007. It was directed by Kirk Jackson.
- Darren Lemming: Jacques Cowart II
- Shane Mungitt: Jake Suffian
- Kippy Sunderstrom: William Peden
- Mason Marzac: Oliver Wadsworth
- Martinez: Humberto Domingo Fabre
- Rodriguez: Richard Damaso
- Takeshi Kawabata: Nobuo Inubushi
- Jason Chenier: Todd Gebhart
- Davey Battle: Kevin Craig West
- Toddy Koovitz: Richard Lounello
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Richard Scofield
[edit] San Francisco 2007
New Conservatory Theater Center in San Francisco, CA staged a production of Take Me Out from May 19 - July 15, 2007. It was directed by Ed Decker.
- Darren Lemming: Brian J. Patterson
- Shane Mungitt: Jeffrey Cohlman
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Matt Socha
- Mason Marzac: Patrick Michael Dukeman
- Martinez: Carlos Barrerra
- Rodriguez: Tom Orr
- Takeshi Kawabata: Arthur Keng
- Jason Chenier: Donovan Keith
- Davey Battle: Meyers Clark
- Toddy Koovitz: Tim Redmond
- Skipper/William R. Danziger: Michael Umari
[edit] Dayton, 2007
Take Me Out was staged at the Loft Theatre in Dayton, Ohio from 14 June - 24 June 2007. The play was directed by Tim Lile and Marsha Hanna, with set design by Dick Block. It was produced by the Human Race Theatre Company.
- Darren Lemming: Lindsay Smiling
- Shane Mungitt: Lucas van Engen
- Kippy Sunderstrom: David Marantz
- Mason Marzac: Brian McKnight
- Martinez: Greg Hall
- Rodriguez: Ramon Gaitan
- Takeshi Kawabata: Michael Lehr
- Jason Chenier: J.J. Tiemeyer
- Davey Battle: Alan Bomar Jones
- Toddy Koovitz: Keith Bolden
- Skipper: Scott Stoney
[edit] Pittsburgh, 2008
The Three Rivers Arts Festival and barebones productions staged a production of the play from 6 June - 22 June 2008, directed by David Whalen. With scenery by Tony Ferrieri, lighting by Scott Nelson, costumes by Richard Parsakian, sound by Dave Bjornson, and properties by Angela Vesco.
- Darren Lemming: Christan Felix
- Shane Mungitt: Tristan Farmer
- Kippy Sunderstrom: Patrick Jordan
- Mason Marzac: Tom Aulino
- Martinez: JJ Jackson
- Rodriguez: Jose Rivas
- Takeshi Kawabata: Jeffrey Omura
- Jason Chenier: Tony Bingam
- Davey Battle: Joshua Reese
- Toddy Koovitz: Jeffrey Carpenter
- Skipper: Bingo O'Malley
[edit] Sources
- Take Me Out, Paperback, 128 pages, Faber & Faber; 1st edition (August 6, 2003); ISBN 0-571-21118-6
- Performance, playbill from the 2005 Toronto production
- Program booklet from 2005 St. Louis production
[edit] External links
- Take Me Out (play) at the Internet Broadway Database
- Review at the Donmar Warehouse London from Curtain Up
- Playbill.com
- Talkin' Broadway review of Broadway production
- Talkin' Broadway review of San Francisco production
- Philadelphia Theatre Company
- San Diego - The Old Globe production
- To Do Productions
- San Francisco - The NCTC production
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