Review: With Strong Acting and Tight Direction GOING... GOING... GONE! Doesn't Strike Out

GOING... GOING... GONE!/written by Ken Levine/directed by Andrew Barnicle/Hudson Guild Theatre/thru November 6, 2016

This world premiere of playwright Ken Levine's GOING... GOING... GONE! has the benefit of a strong quartet of actors and sure-handed direction at a swift pace. Witty quips and snappy one-liners populate the rapid repartee of three male baseball reporters in a sky-high reporters' box with the added presence of Shana, a subbing, gorgeous female on-camera reporter. The boy's club's razzings give way to more polite discussion with her appearance, only to quickly dissipate after Shana gives her 'permission' for the guys to continue in their normal locker room banter. If the purpose to duplicate the drudgery of sitting through 18-19 innings of a baseball game was intentional, Levine's script certainly succeeds. When the uber-enthusiasm of reporters starts to wan during the much extended ballgame; that feeling becomes mirrored with the audience.

Director Andrew Barnicle keeps the action moving with his players (each spot-on in their individual portrayals) steadily firing off their lines, with appropriate black-outs between scenes/innings. Barnicle has all four completely in-snyc in their various reactions to the baseball game they're watching (out over the audience's heads).

Annie Abrams totally owns the confidence her character Shana requires to thrive in her male-dominated career. Abrams' Shana can hold her own matching the guys' wits, baseball knowledge, and drinking dares. When Shana's insecurities show itself, Abrams gamely and effectively soldiers on.

David Babich inhabits his reporter/official scorer role of Dennis with every kvetching and physical tic of a hen-pecked husband unhappy with his life, both personal and professional.

Dennis Pearson imbues his Mason with an almost wide-eyed, innocent passion and a real love for the game of baseball.

Troy Metcalf totally convinces as Big Jim, the horrid, food-loving a**hole (as everyone calls him). The later-revealed plot points of Big Jim somehow don't compensate for his oppressive nastiness.

Clever set design by Gary Lee Reed with the reporters' desk/outer wall combo prominently downstage.

With some judicious editing this ninety-minute, 18-inning stretch could be whittled down to a more compact, comfortable sixty-minute, regular nine-inning, with maybe only one or two innings overtime.

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