Richard Greenberg's drama combines a poetic ode to baseball with thoughtful ruminations on the search for personal identity and the fragility of teamwork. The springboard for the play's rich array of ideas is the effect that a black gay athlete's coming out has on his team, the New York Empires. Director Michael Matthews' smartly conceived in-the-round staging, facilitated by Kurt Boetcher's excellent scenic design and Tim Swiss' atmospheric lighting, fits the stadium milieu of Greenberg's compelling play like a baseball glove. Masterful ensemble playing propels the play to a home run in this funny and touching production.
When star center fielder Darren Lemming (Ary Katz), son of a white father and black mother, admits he's gay, the only person seemingly not bothered by the aftereffects is the super-confident golden boy Darren. His teammates become self-conscious in the shower, his deeply religious African-American pal from another team (the superb Jacques C. Smith) rejects him, and a homophobic pitcher (Garrett Matheson) is fired after publicly indulging in racist and homophobic slurs. There's a hint of Greek tragedy—albeit in a softer vein—when the seemingly invincible Darren faces downfall.
The 11-member cast splendidly demonstrates team playing. Katz's portrayal of the protagonist who ultimately shows his Achilles heel is multilayered and engaging. As teammate Kippy, Darren's philosophical best pal, who narrates the play and provides a moral anchor of sorts, Tom Costello is wryly amusing. Thomas James O'Leary evokes big laughs as Greenberg's mouthpiece for the glories of baseball: the socially inept gay accountant who sees his representation of superstar Darren as a boon to his own search for a meaningful identity. Matheson is fully convincing as the seemingly laid-back Southern hick who suddenly shows his true redneck colors. Doing fine work in the roles of non-English-speaking team members trying to assimilate into the group are Eiji Inoue as a Japanese immigrant and Marco Antonio Garcia and DeLaRosa as Latinos. Salutes are also due the colorful supporting turns offered by Rick Cosnett and Duke Dlouhy as ballplayers and Biff Yeager as the coach. Celebration enjoys a major-league success with this intelligent and enthralling production.
Presented by Sidney/Kern LLC in association with and at the Celebration Theatre, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.; Sept. 24-Oct. 31. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; (323) 957-1884. www.celebrationtheatre.com.