Kitten’s TAKE ME OUT review.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:47pm

First off, let me start by saying that the only reason I went was because I knew I’d get to see some naked guys. (what a way to start a review) Fortunately, or unfortunately (still haven’t figured it out) I was treated to a bit more than I bargained for ($25 rush). The play penned by Richard Greenberg was surprisingly touching when it wanted to be and exceeding hilarious even when it didn’t mean to be. It was, however, shady at times because I did leave the theatre questioning quite a few things. For instance: can anybody really die from a baseball to the chest? Can a play about baseball really appeal to people such as my self who generally detest the game? And have you ever seen a bigger sausage fest in all your life???

As for the first question, I really don’t know. The human body is a lot stronger than we all tend to think I’ll give it that. But I suppose if a ball was thrown at the proper angle with the intent of killing someone it could at the very least cause some brain damage. And yes, a play about baseball can be enjoyed by those who don’t appreciate the sport. Why? Because I was able to see the game through the character’s eyes. And that was an interesting experience. The character, Mason Marzac was instantly relatable. As played by T. Scott Cunningham I was able to understand things better when said by him because he was a person who didn’t like baseball but caught on through a different medium, which seems to be what this play is all about. Appreciating baseball – or anything for that matter – simply because it brings joy to others.

M.D. Walton as Darren Lemming was an inspired choice. He’s first off a fantastic actor but he’s also got perfect timing which helped for the comedy moments. He’s also well endowed (shhhh…) with a great ability to work off his fellow actors very well which was so important for this piece. He made Doug Wert’s job as best friend and narrator seem effortless which isn’t a word I would associate with the role of Kippy but Doug delivered a stand out performance… and he obviously goes to the gym more than twice a week which of course isn’t a necessity for the role but rather an extremely surprising bonus. The rest of the cast was just awesome. I mean I have to applaud anyone willing to walk on stage naked and shower in front of a couple hundred people. Bravo!

The direction by Joe Montello, for this production at least, was off for me. There were some things that went unexplained that I had hoped would somehow be sorted out by the end and they were not. But I guess we’re just left to ponder why exactly it is Shane did what he did instead of finding any actual conclusions. Shane, by the way, played by Harlon George was sooooooooooooo worth the ticket price.

The lighting and sound design was used to perfection in this piece. You have to see it. There is no way to explain really what’s done other than to just describe it as being perfectly cued chaos. It’s an interesting night at the theatre for sure and for a sausage fest it had a lot to say about humanity.

The run concludes tomorrow here in San Diego at The Old Globe Theatre.

www.oldglobe.org

[Plum]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:51pm

I know a guy died from a lacrosse ball to his unprotected chest, so I'm pretty sure you can die from a baseball to the chest.

...Anyway, you're lucky you got to see the show. I, unfortunately, have only read it. Glad you enjoyed yourself. :P

[Justice]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:57pm

See, here's the thing. As i have stated many times in the past, I really didn't care for this show. Denis O'Hare was wonderful, especially in his last monologue, but that was about it.
Is it the nudity that has to grab people's attention, because the story is lame as it is? Truthfully, in all the nude scenes, there was only one that was poignant, and that was the brief moment between the redneck and the homo. All the other scenes could have been done in the locker room with towels on, but that probably wouldn't have sold too well, because most of that dialogue is boring.
I'm against the show for the mere fact that I do not go to the theatre to see pointless naked people. If that were the case, there are other places I'd be going to.

Updated On: 2/26/05 at 08:57 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:58pm

I actually found it to be a very compelling read, but the fact that I'm a baseball fan might have biased me.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:01pm

Ah, CATS has filled his naked dude quota for at LEAST five minutes! I still think the play is a bit Emperor's New Clothes...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:02pm

it wasn't pointless. those boys were dirty. they NEEDED to take a shower... although, do the actors go home at night and shower or do they just do that on stage before they leave the theatre??? it left me wondering...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:05pm

at the same time though, I don't think it's completely pointless because some of us only went BECAUSE we wanted to see naked guys so therefore the point is filled. others were made very uncomfortable by the nudity which in turn helped them understand exactly how the rest of the team members must have felt. like there was an elephant in the locker room... Updated On: 2/26/05 at 09:05 PM

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:05pm

No, they hang around backstage rubbing each other with essential oils to look glowing for the next performance...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:07pm

that can't be true becasue Harlon should have then been wearing body make-up to cover his tan lines...

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:11pm

You couldn't get the Australian "Full Monty" guys to put their clothes back ON at the end of the show. They used to sit around forever in towels drinking beer.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:11pm

here's a picture of Doug Wert by the way... he was hot.

[Justice]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:12pm

To a point, i can understand the "elephant" comment. Yet, the only one that looked uncomfortable onstage was the redneck. Everyone else seemed used to it.

At the same time, (and I don't want to come down on you Cats, or I should say - No Offense) that is so stereotypical of gay men. If there was no nudity in the show, would you have given your time and money?

I hate that in order for things to sell in the gay community, there has to be some shirtless hardbody for whatever product is being sold. Same thing for this show - Gay men will only see it for the nudity, because we all know the majority of them could give a rat's ass about baseball - unless there are uniforms involved.

Updated On: 2/26/05 at 09:12 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:15pm

Reminds me of the old stereotype that women only watch baseball to stare at Jeter's butt.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:17pm

well, still I don't want to lie. the nudity is the only reason I went. But I did come out having very much appreciated it as a theatrical piece. And even though I wouldn't have gone to see it without the nudity having seen it with I would have missed out on a very funny and heartwarming story not really about baseball but mostly friendship. That monologue about hitting a home run was not just about baseball. it was about anything that means that much to you. that was a great moment. Updated On: 2/26/05 at 09:17 PM

[Justice]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:27pm

I'm glad that you got more outta the show than penii.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:34am

penii? is that even a real word?

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:44am

For myself, the nudity was important not only to show the effect of the outing on the locker room situation, but also to use the audience's uncomfortableness to further illustrate the points being made.

And Justice, that comment about gay men only going to the theatre to see nudity is one of the most ludicrous things I've ever read. If that's your personal experience, then you need to hang around better people - gay men or not. Updated On: 2/27/05 at 12:44 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:05am

thank you D.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:12am

You would be horribly surprised at the number of gay guys who would never think of going into a theatre unless there was flesh on display. Sometimes the gay press won't even cover a new show unless they can push the nudity angle. Sad but true.

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:26am

Wildcat - I'll go along with the notion that there are some gay men who feel that way. However, since it is primarily a signifigant number of gay men and the Jewish population that keep most performing arts afloat across the country, I think it's a bit of an overstatement to say that gay men need nudity to get them into a theatre.

I would also point out that Mr. Greenberg's play was HIGHLY lauded, so perhaps the gay men in attendence weren't there just to see a c*ck. If that's all they wanted, there are places to go where they could actually have them for dinner, not just look at them.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:35am

have them for dinner??? oh, I get it...

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:41am

Cats - I bet you'd like to

[TGIF]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:46am

For instance: can anybody really die from a baseball to the chest?

I know a boy who died from a fly ball hitting his head (his glove broke). Horrible situation. Anything's possible.


Anyway, I am glad you could enjoy the show beyong the nudity! I mean, if you go to the show and don't like it there are atleast some exposed "penii." I say its a win/win situation.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:48am

This is a little off-subject, but you actually CAN die from a baseball to the chest, or any other heavy blow. While the heart beats, there is a tiny, tiny interval of time where the heart is very vulnerable, and if someone is hit in the chest at that precise moment, in exactly the right spot, they can go into cardiac arrrest. Just last December, a guy died from being hit in the chest by a hockey puck during a Northern Colorado/Utah game.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 2:44pm

that is rather disturbing.