“Take me Out” Play about Baseball & Homosexuality (10/04)

     “Take me Out” by “Richard Greenberg”, presented by the Geffen Playhouse (shown at The Brentwood Theater) is about a superstar gay ballplayer and his story of how he comes out of the closet in front of the media to the surprise of his teammates. Darren Lemming (played by Terrell Tilford) portrays baseball Star player and how prejudice still exists in a particular segment of society.  Teammate, Shane Mungitt (played by Jeremy Sisto) shined with incredible acting and how he fits in with what he has heard and what transpired.  He showed great intensity and humanity that his role required in portraying his character. There is quite a bit of nudity as many scenes are played in the locker room & showers. It was very interesting to sit back and see the perception of how people look at this situation and if it really ever transpired.

     One interesting side note is that I played baseball in college at Loyola Marymount University in the mid 80’s with a superstar baseball player named Billy Bean who made it to the major leagues. Not until his career ended did he come out and tell the world he was living a gay lifestyle.  I give him a lot of credit as there may be other athletes afraid of telling their homosexual stories.  Billy (pictured below when he played for the LA Dodgers) is a friend and American hero and doing well these days in Miami selling real estate and even has his own book out called “Going the Other Way”. More info at www.billybean.com

 For more information and tickets on “Take me Out”, please go to www.geffenplayhouse.com  or call 310-208-5454.  This recommended play and Tony Award winner plays till Oct. 31, 04.