1 SATURDAY, JUNE 25. 2005

THEATER REVIEW | ROUNDING THIRD Little-League Baseball play knocks one out of the park

By Michael Grossberg >■ Otterbein Summer Theatre will present THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Rounding Third at 8 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. July 6-9 and 2 p.m. July 10 In the Campus Otterbein Summer Theatre’s deft season Center Theatre, 100 W. Home St., Westerville. opener deserves to be a hit. Tickets cost $18, or $15 for community baseball In Rounding Third, a deceptively simple players who wear their jerseys to the July 6 show stunt-play about Little League Baseball (the disceunt must be mentioned when phoning with only two characters, playwright In orders). Call 614-823-1109. Richard Dresser covers the bases of the suburban American dream, from tbe chal­ lenges of competition and character to the into his complex portrait. stresses of parenthood and manhood. Adams revels in the obsessive behavior Dreiser {Below the Belt) writes comedy- and punchy dialogue of his dominating dramas that ring true about the way men character but also weaves in enough think, feel and talk. anger and disappointment to make Don Lucas Adams plays Don, a savvy but comprehensible if not always sympathetic. sarcastic coach with a tough attitude and Kevin Lowry’s versatile scenic design a win-at-all-costs philosophy. helps maintain the brisk pace with a Zach Kleinsmith plays Michael — or revolving set piece that shifts easily from as Don dubs him, Mike or Mikey — the the back wall of the playing field to the neophyte assistant coach who wants to cluttered back of a van. focus on the fun of playing the game and Using just enough mild profanity to support his son. establish the male milieu. Dresser neatly Michael thinks it’s OK for guys to cry. structures the two-act play in telling When he does so, Don recoils in macho scenes from the coaches’ unpromising dismay. first meeting through team practices, Michael is amusingly clueless when it early games, small victories and setbacks comes to the rules of the game. But Don to the climactic final game. turns out to be shockingly clueless about Who wins and who loses? women and the rules of matrimony. The plot offers enough pleasing twists to Both student actors are terrific, quickly foil second-guessers, but the ultimate win­ making the audience forget their age under ner is the audience, cannily involved in director Dennis Romer’s solid coaching. the interactive piece as members of the Kleinsmith blends intelligence, team the men are coaching. kindness, nerdiness, a bit of wimp- Gp, team — to Otterbein.

You may think you know where Ronndi^ Third is going, but you don’t. Much like a pitcher who always has one Theater more surprise up his sleeve, playwright ; Richard Dresser keeps you guessing. RICHARD APES The comedy starts as Little League coach Don meets his new assistant coach, Michael. Don Uves for baseball and, even more, for victory. He expects his pre-teen players directed by Dennis Romer, is well-cast and to use every means at their disposal—not well-acted. ' just the legal ones—to attain it. Lucas A. Adams’s Don is brash enough to be believable when he tells his (unseen) : players, “You’re the luckiest kids in town. You’re on my team.” ! He remains behevable later on when he reveals the darkness behind his quest for victory. “You know who the happy people are?” he asks Michael. “The winners. Everybody else is 30 seconds away from blowing their brains out." Bouncing back from Don’s bitter gibes Uke a Kevlar balloon, Zach Kleinsmith’s Michael at first seems cheerfully oblivious. But he gradually gives the character a brit­ Like the Odil Couple—b\A only to a point: tle edge as he moves closer to revealing lus Lucas A. Adams and Zach Kleinsmith in own dark secrets. ! Otterbein Summer Theatre's Roxmding Kevin J. Lowry’s clever set uses revolv- I Third ing pieces to ease scene changes that move the action from a gymnasium to a ball park Michael, in contrast, doesn’t know much and the back of an old van. about the game, having spent his youth in It’s a good match for the writing and Canada mastering the low-key sport of acting, which smoothly change the nature curling. As for winning, he thinks it’s much of the action from conflict-driven comedy less important than just having fun. to something far more interesting. If you suspect Dresser is setting up a per­ sonality clash of Odd Couple proportions, you’re right—but only to a point. As we leam more about the men and their relationships with their sons and wives, he introduces Otterbein Summer Theatre will present Rounding Third at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and unexpected moral dilemmas and disasters. 2 p.m. Sunday in the Campus Center Theatre, , The laughs keep coming, but now 100 W. Home St. Running time; 2 hours (includ­ they’re of a weightier and richer variety. ing intermission). Tickets are $18. 823-1109. Otterbein’s production of the play. OHIO NEWS BUREAU INC. CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115 216/241-0675

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JUL-06-20Ut)JUL-06-2005 Comedy about two Little Leapte c®hes earns Major league laughs

______a work cemedcerned mainly mainly with with wi^ng. w to^ Dresser has penned a work Bv DENNIS THOMPSON Michael is the laid-back that hits home for suburban newcomer, both to the tovm Suburban News Theater Critic families. This is the story of and to baseball, a corporate two Little League coaches executive looking to share m Otterbein Summer Theatre who are thrown together and opens its 2005 season with activity with his son, who form an uneasy alhance. has never played the game. Rounding Third, Richard Don is the rough, tod- Dresser’s thoughtful comedy nosed veteran coach, father See COMEDY, Page 15A about life mirrqred by base­ to the star pitcher and con­ ball. \ COMEDY- Continued from Page 14A Going too far in one direc­ tion would have made the Through victory and de­ characters obnoxiously feat, the two men grapple spiteful or pitifully weak But over the best way to lead the we see these men as fully di­ team. They seem like a mod­ mensional - flawed yet lik­ em day Odd Couple', the able human beings. gruff Don, who emphasizes Each is doing the best he punctuality and winning, can in his own way. We and the mild Michael, who identify, empathize, care and just wants the boys to have laugh. fun. Set designer Kevin A playwright once told REVIEW Lowery has designed a ball me there should be no two-' field that with minor adjust­ person plays, that at least a ments becomes a gym, a bar third character is needed for Michael is grippec^ by the and the back of a van. Light­ proper interaction. But in taste of victory more than he ing .designer Elliot France this piece more people would have imagined. has added some nice touch­ would have been clutter. Each deals with personal es, my favorite being the We get to know the boys, demons that gradually come gradual appearance of sun­ the wives, the friends to the surface. These give the shine after a storm.' through the two men’s con­ characters marvelous tex­ Director Dennis Romer versations. These take 'the ture, while never distracting again takes his 20-somethmg form of verbal sparring and from and often enriching the actors and makes us believe searches for compromise, comedy. they are experienced adults. with walls tentatively low­ And this is quite fimny, on .He has molded a well-paced, ered but never completely many levels: the character funny and touching piece. dismantled. extremes, the opposite ap­ The setup sounds like proaches, the fish out of Otterbein Summer The­ grounds for a clicked water and the interactions atre’s Rounding Third con­ solution - one will see the with the children, which are tinues' at 8 p..m. next error of his ways and realize both hilarious and’ poignant Wednesday through July 9 it’s just a game. But neither even though the kids are and 2 p.m. July 10 at the man is quite the stereotype never seen.. Campus Center Theatre, 100 \ he seems to be. Lucas W. Adams as Don W. Home Street, Westerville. Don is demanding of the and Zach Kleinsmith as Tickets are $18. For more ., N^ds, but he knows and cares Michael hit the right notes information call about their personal lives. and strike the right balance. 1109. STAGE NOTES

10 o Actors to coach’ audience in show about tiaseball o cv Let's play ball: That’s the first PJCO pitch of the Otterbein Summer from Henry VI, parts 7 and 2. Theatre season. tu Suffolk falls in love wiiti Istdy z: Rounding Third, opening to­ Margaret after capturing her D night on the Westerville cam­ during a battle in France. Yet pus, invites audiences into the evetj when Margaret becomes liigh-pressure world of vouth baseball. queen, the affair coniimies. "It'.s a nontraditional look at With only two characters - love," Kuhn .said, ' Iwcn thougli the coaches — playwright Rich­ THUR.SDAY.

Iheir love is illicit in many wa'ys. i ard Dres'er charts a full tliey have a profound and deep season of Lit connection.... VVe want them to tic League he heroes, hut (hev’re not good from the people, yet they still make sacrifices for love,” characters’ first meeting In scenes from Much Ado to the climac About Nothing, Michelle

Schroeder plays Beatrice oppo­ W e e k e n d e r

tic champion I ship game. site Matt WelslTs Benedick, with In the fam­ Short as Don Pedro. ily-oriented MICHAEL Benedick and Beatrice arc play, the 'two very witty” people hut so GROSSBERG resistant to the idea of being lied

coaches "talk Dl.SPATCH to another that they must be to the audience as if the audi­ tricked into believing that the ence is the team.' said Zach other loves them before each Kleinsrnith, who plays Michael. can fall in love. Lucas Adams, who just gradu­ ”I hat knowledge transforms ated from Otterbein, plays Don, JAMES D. OoCAMP niSPATC Lucas Adams, left, and Zach Kleinsmith in Otterbeln’s Rounding Third them,” Kuhn said. COLIJ.MBIJS the more gung-ho coach. "It’s interesting to look at the "Don needs to teach the kids

how to witi so they’ll be winners transformational power of love. THE Adams, 22, based the posti.'re F.ven though they still bicker and their whole life, but his teaching Shakespeare on love and gait of Don on the way his About 1 lothing. are sernireluctant to tie the knot skills leave something to be de Ac tors’ Theatre loves Shalce- coach "walked .nround like he Five actors p: ay nine roles in of marriage, they’re dearly sired because he tries too hard” speare, but Artistic Director John the comjiiiation, which Kuhn co was king of the block, and no­ S. Kt'hp especially loves the meant for each other.” The role "kind of reminds me body was belter than him or directs 'vffli IVatt .Slaybaiigh. of the Bob Knight of Little Bard's views about love. In four Cymheline scenes. could do anything to him.” "If yc j already me familiar Acacia Duncan plays Imogen, a League,’’ Adams said. For the second consecutive But Don isn’t the villain. with Shakespeare, this is a new victim of jealousy, opposite Like Knight, an ex-coach of 3'ear, Kuhn has compiled scenes In fact, Adams said, neither way to i ppreciate his life and his Welsh’s remorseful Posthimius Indiana basketball known for coach is. and monologues from Shalce- work,” 1 laybauglr said. speare plays to chart the many Leonatus. Duncan also appears throwing chairs, Don gets angry Slayb High founded Bhie- "They just have two w^ays of faces of romance. in Much Ado and Henry VI and lacks restraint, often con­ going about it.” I'orms Theatre.Gjoup, known for Much Ado About Love, open­ scenes, hut her favorite moment flicting with Michael. raeinsrnitlt, 21, agreed. its innovative blend of text and "Michael is a father who ing tonight in Schiller Park, fol­ conies in a transition from a "Michael learns that both movement. BlueForms recently Hamlet monologue. doesn t really know that much lows tJiree relationships that go side.s can be correct..,. that it’s v;as chosen the imdience’s Pick "It’s ver3' short, but it’s awe­ about baneba!) I.nif w.'ints to fhrough the vagaries of love, of the I’-ringe iavofite for its not all about just lidviiig fiai but Kuiin said, some because I’ve .always ^ipend time with his .son (who’s movement-orienled production fJjere’s something good aboiii; .Wh ereas la.st summer’s com­ dreamed of piaymg Hamlet,” on the team) and be a good par­ competition because it teaclies of AlThePostiMode.rnlMreStoiynt Duncan .said. ent," Kleinsmith said. pilation. Shakespeare on Love, the second Cincinnati Fringe us about living in the world.’.' explored six relationsiiips from "ITs evejy actor’s dream, male "He doesn't wo 173' about win­ Showtimes are 7:30 tonifdii. Festival. , or female.” ning or losing- it’s all about the six plays, this year’s effort fo­ 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and "Peop e who’ve seen Blue- The compilation will be pre­ fun of the game and not the cuses more on "tire challenges 2 p.m. .Sunday, 8 p.m; July 6-9 Forms will recognize {'Much Ado sented at 8 tonight through pressure of competition.’’ that people encounter” as they and 2 p.m. July lO in the'Cam­ About Love) " he said. Sunday night — and 8 p.m. next Adams’ approach to his role pursue love, he said, pus Center Theatre, 100 W. "The more hb.stract and styl­ Thursday, July 2-.3 and July 7-10 was shaped partly by his sixth Last year’s .show ottered a Home Sf., Westerviile. ized movement,helps to clarify -- ill Schiller I’ark. amphitheater, grade memories of playing Little rosier view of iovc; this year's the dialogue and makes it more Tickets cost .$18, or $15 for show says love is nice but there tat Cit\- Park Avenue in the l eague in Louisville, Ky., under a communily baseball player’ exciting entertpxinment.” domineering coach who also are liardsliips to endure.” Uernian Village nrighborhood. who wear their jersey:; to the Tlic challenge orihc90 min Admi.s.sion is free. Call turned me off from pla3dng To .'.atisfy the curiosity of Ac­ July 6 show (the baseball dis­ ute show is to get acro.ss (he fla­ f’888 or visit www.theactors baseball.” tors’ Shakespeare-savvy audi­ vor of (he cb.a'-iclers in short count must be mentioned -when ences Kuhn chose less-familiar theatre.org. ' Baseball is suppo.sed to be phoning in order,s). scenes, Kuhn said. fun, but he yelled at me and excerpts from Cymheline and For moie information, call Lise F-va.is plays Margaret of gave up on me.” Henr)' VI — which Actors’ hasn’t Michael Gro-isberg Ls Dispatch 614-823-1109. Anjou opnosii.• Ian Short as the theater critic. stagec before — and Much Ado Lari of SufftAk ui tltree scenes mgjossberg@>dispatch.com