The Phoenix scores again

Indianapolis’ Phoenix Theatre (The Goat, Bat Boy, Proof, Hedwig and the Angry Inch …) continues its winning streak of nabbing hot plays with its next production: Take Me Out, which, when it opens this weekend, will have been a scant three months off a Broadway stage. The play, by Richard Greenberg (Three Days of Rain and The Dazzle), won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Play.

Darren Lemming (played by Ben Rose, top) is carried by his teammates in the regional theater premiere of ‘Take Me Out’ at the Phoenix Theatre. Carrying him are, from left to right, Nick Carpenter, Michael Shelton, Roger Ortman and Gerson Dacanay.

The Phoenix is in a unique situation, in that they were able to get the play as early as they did. “It drives my staff crazy, but we only announce a season six months at a time, so we are open to grab shows, like we did with Vagina Monologues, Love Valor Compassion, Bat Boy,” says Phoenix artistic director Bryan Fonseca. “It’s a system we settled on. Now we have fall/winter and spring/summer seasons. In the past, we announced 11 titles. It tied up the programming. Take Me Out will be done by many theaters next season, but those theaters are now tied up with their seasons.”

Take Me Out is about the Empires, a Yankees-like baseball team, whose star player, the mixed-race Darren Lemming, comes “out” during a press conference. Playbill Online calls it a “view of baseball as democracy in microcosm” that also deals with “Greenberg’s take on celebrity, homophobia, ego, prejudice, friendship and more.”

Darren’s purpose in his outing is somewhat unclear, but as he puts it in one of the show’s favorite quotes: “If I’m gonna have sex — and I am, because I’m rich and famous and talented, and handsome, so it’s a law — I’d rather do it with a guy. But when all is said and done, I’d rather just play ball.”

Fonseca, also the director for this show, says, “The basic plot is about a character who comes out, but on a greater level it shows a microcosm of what is happening in this country. A line is being drawn on the gay marriage issue.

These are topics that will effect the next presidential election. It’s a sounding board for many viewpoints on that topic. Just about everyone’s issues are being represented. It shows us the tragedy of lack of communication or understanding on the issue. It’s amazingly timely in that regard. We’re just really fortunate, having the first production out of New York. It goes along with our mission, to show things that are in the forefront and part of the national dialogue.”

Running in tandem with the plot of an outed player taking showers with his teammates — oh yes, be prepared for nudity — is the reaction of his teammates, fans and media. Bigoted relief pitcher Mungitt (think John Rocker) takes revenge on Darren for an embarrassing shower hijink by beaning one of Darren’s best friends on another team. Darren’s friend is black, and racial issues grab hands with the homophobic ones.

Other characters serve as outlets for ideas as well. There is the liberal, well-educated shortstop Kippy, and Darren’s gay financial adviser Mason, who becomes a fan of the game and comments on its philosophic tendencies.

Casting for the show proved to be a challenge for the Phoenix. “It represents various races — Hispanic, an Asian who speaks Japanese, light- and dark-skinned African-Americans. It’s a challenge in the community until we can develop more plays that have rainbow flavors,” Fonseca says. “We are trying to expand programming for the Hispanic and African-American community. Actors need to know that this is a place they can be cast and get the experience.”

Taking on the roles in Indy’s production are Ben Rose playing Darren Lemming; Charles Goad as Mason Marzac, Darren Lemming’s financial advisor; Michael Shelton as Kippy Sunderstrom, Darren Lemming’s best friend; Nick Carpenter as Shane Mungitt; Lebron Benton as Jason Chenier; and Mark Goetzinger as Skipper.