BWW Reviews: HotCity Theatre's Engaging Production of ROUNDING THIRD

Playwright Richard Dresser's work, Rounding Third, really struck a chord with me since I'm a coach on my son's coach-pitch little league team. Sure, I hope they win every game they play, but much like the character of Michael is at the beginning of the play, at their age I'm just happy to see them have a good time playing. This show is more about older kids playing their last season of little league, so it's a bit different in how winning is approached, but it's a splendid look at two contrasting characters who, by the end of the show, have rubbed off a bit on each other, despite their differences. HotCity Theatre's production is a terrific one, powered by two splendid performances.

Don has been coaching little league for a long time, and his expectations for his charges are nothing short of perfection. He lives vicariously through these youngsters, one of which is his son, who gives up pitching for the team to pursue his interest in musical theatre, much to his dad's chagrin. Michael is new to coaching, and really new to the sport as well, and his lack of knowledge and drive is constantly questioned by Don, who mourns the loss of former assistant Tony, who's gone on to coach in the Babe Ruth League. Over the course of the season we watch as these two disparate characters come together to, maybe not become friends, but develop a mutual respect for each other.

Steve Isom is just wonderful as the grizzled Don, who's not above some mild cheating if it helps his team win the championship. He still harbors grief over a missed opportunity he had when he was a kid playing the game, and his bitterness is made abundantly clear. He's also got a marriage that's going south, and he can't understand why, which leaves him living in his van. He can't understand Michael's mentality (a great performance by Christopher Lawyer) at all, and he winces whenever he encounters an example of Michael's more lax attitude. Lawyer, a widower, just wants to spend time with his son (who's also on the team) in some meaningful way, and hopes the kids have a good time along the way. But, it's interesting how Don's win-at-all-costs manner begins to infect Michael as well.

Sarah Armstrong's keen direction clearly defines the roles and differences between these two men, while keeping the action moving along at a good tempo. She's aided by the neatly changeable scenic design of Sean Savoie that captures the feel of a dugout with remarkable economy, and by Alan Chlebowski's lighting scheme, which nicely frames several dramatic moments. JC Krajicek contributes the realistic costumes that define each character.

HotCity Theatre's production of Rounding Third is a winner that's well worth your time and attention, and it continues through May 26, 2012 at the Kranzberg.   

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