Remember those carefree days of early 2002 when we thought of Jose Canseco as mere beefcake instead of a whistle blower? When we were far more interested in Mike Piazza promising us that he was heterosexual than we were in Jason Giambi promising us that he hadn't "done that stuff?" When Gary Sheffield was more likely to slur someone's sexual orientation as opposed to their race?Ah, those were the days!
Well, if you're in the Bay Area, you can relive them between now and July 11th, as the New Conservatory Theatre Center presents Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning play Take Me Out:
We're in a locker-room; a private place where the sweat and the grime mix with the tears of defeat or the shouts of triumph. Where the trouble on or off the field is kept locked up with the deodorant and the tobacco. We're flies on the wall of a true red, white and blue pastime. So imagine the mess when one of America's best ball players goes into the locker room and out of the closet with one overly confident stride!
Sweet! But, man, this just isn't as topical as it was when it was written a few years ago. Any special reason why I should go, Mr. Reviewer?
The last time I'd seen a live performance of Take Me Out, I was in the front mezzanine and completely distracted by the nudity. This time, in spite of being six rows from the nakedness, I was more focused on the play. Great bodies up against a great script? The script wins. Perhaps I've matured as an audience member. Or perhaps NCTC took me all the way to home-plate this time around!
That cuts it. I'll be there with bells on.
