Broadway Delivers a Grand Slam Revival

(L-R) Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams in Take Me Out. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Just in time for the start of the long-awaited Major League Baseball season and in the aftermath of the four-month league lockout, which would have canceled many games, had it extended past March, the new revival of the groundbreaking 2003 Tony-winning play Take Me Out finally arrives at Hayes Theater, Second Stage’s home for its Broadway productions across from its Off-Broadway home on 8^th Avenue. It was originally scheduled to open in spring 2020, but like the actual game itself, it was postponed due to the COVID virus. Now, it finally arrives, and in light of the Black Lives Matter movements and Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill going into effect, this work and the plot surrounding it are more timely than ever.

The play looks at the pivotal 2002 season of the fictional New York Empires (inspired by the Yankees because of the pinstripes both teams wear in their jerseys.) The reason why it’s pivotal is that one of its star players, mixed-race center fielder Darren Lemming (Jesse Williams of Grey’s Anatomy fame), comes out as a gay athlete, a rare thing at that time. His teammate, Kippy Sunderstorm (Patrick J. Adams), feels afraid that the team won’t accept Darren’s homosexuality. In the aftermath of Darren’s announcement, Darren gets a new accountant, Mason (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), who is known to be gay and begins to grow an interest in baseball because of his new client. Meanwhile, the Empires add relief pitcher Shane Mungitt (Michael Oberholtzer) to the roster as their savior to end their losing streak. But despite the success, Mungitt despises Lemming and curses him out with words offensive to the gay community. This leads to turmoil and sudden tragedy for Darren, his team, and baseball itself.

Richard Greenberg’s dialogue shows a thrilling love for the game and how it interferes with the issues surrounding the LGBTQ movement. Director Scott Ellis delivers a solid production here, with his actors stepping up to the plate and doing a wonderful job. Since some of the action takes place in the locker room, many of its all-male cast does full nudity in its shower scenes, but it doesn’t distract the greatness presented in its material. 

Williams scores in a well-done Broadway debut performance. Also making his Broadway debut, Adams, best known from the USA legal drama, Suits, who gives an impressive performance, as does Oberholtzer, playing a pitcher that you would love to hate. But the show’s signature performance belongs to Ferguson, whose growing addiction to baseball makes him think about how the game compares to politics in the play’s best monologue. He tells the audience that “baseball is a perfect metaphor for hope in a democratic society.” Ferguson is sure to win the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play this year.

Luckily, there are no errors to be found in this funny, touching, relevant, and heartbreaking grand slam of a revival. Like baseball, Broadway is a national pastime. It’s great to have a play that loves the game and has a much-deserved home here right now. Grab a ticket now and play ball.

Note: Second Stage has a 30 Under 30 program that sells $30 tickets to theatergoers under 30 years old. For more information, go to: https://2st.com/buy-tickets/rush-30-under-30. Also, Yondr patches will be presented to the audience before the show to put their phones away to protect the actors, mainly due to the show’s nude scenes.

Take Me Out is currently playing at the Hayes Theater on 240 West 44^th Street (between Broadway and 8^th Avenue) in Manhattan. The play's limited engagement has been extended until June 11^th. For tickets, go to 2st.com, todaytix.com, call 212-541-4516, or download and use the TodayTix app.