"Baseball is a metaphor for hope in a democratic society." You may never have looked at America's favorite pastime in quite such glowing terms before, but after an evening at Richard Greenberg's "Take Me Out," you may find your perspective of the game has shifted.
No matter how much of a fan of baseball you are at the outset, it would be difficult not to be drawn in by the brilliant performance of Tom Aulino as Mason Marzac in this exhilarating Chicago premiere directed by Eric Rosen. Aulino is all giddy enthusiasm and awkward insecurity as a gay finance manager and new convert to baseball who finds deep meaning in the game after gaining Darren Lemming as a client. This show is really more about Darren, a bi-racial wunderkind of baseball who comes out in the midst of the season, but Aulino's eager Mason is what makes this well crafted show so well rounded.
But let's get back to Darren, the real focal point of this lively show. His coming out, unprompted by rumor or scandal, is one of a series of events that leads to tragedy. At the outset, shortstop Kippy (a winningly affable Kyle Hall) tries to pinpoint the start of "the whole mess" (we learn what's he's talking about late in the play so I won't spoil it here; suffice it to say it's both sad and shocking) but he can't do it. There are too many factors.
Derrick Nelson's Darren is so used to being untouchable that the fallout from his surprise announcement about his sexuality surprises him. As the play progresses, Nelson's hyper-confident character is gradually humbled by circumstance as he comes to realize his own and others' true natures. Although a team player, Darren doesn't see, until too late, the effect his actions might have on the guys in the game, particularly his bombastic best friend (James Vincent Meredith, brimming with self righteousness) or the uneducated and racist livewire pitcher (magnetically portrayed by Kyle Hatley).
Largely played out in the locker room (Brenda Sabtaka Davis' set even comes with running showers used onstage by several different naked actors), "Take Me Out" celebrates the passion players and fans bring to baseball while also examining racial, religious and cultural conflicts and personality clashes outside the dugout. Greenberg's rich writing and About Face's committed performances endow a provocative play with intelligence even as we're engaged on a more emotional level by the strength of heart on display.
Steppenwolf Theatre; 1650 N. Halsted; (312) 335-1650; $35-$40. Through May 22; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
