Review: LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE Back At Bat, Hits a Home Run at Imagination Stage in Bethesda

A wall of booster seats line the entrance of the theatre, signaling the venue's wide range of intended patrons. We are at Imagination Stage in the Annette M. and Theodore N Lerner Family Theatre, one of premiere locations for theatre for young audiences in the DMV.

The intimate amphitheatre-like design of the mainstage, including a three quarter thrust, is a fertile stage for stories that can appeal to all ages. LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE is no exception. From the wee ones in booster seats to parents and grandparents, this musical play with a message hits a huge home-run.

Writer Karen Zacarias and composer Deborah Wicks La Puma have fashioned a rock-infused musical that entertains while sliding home a message of friendship and loyalty and the deeper lessons a hero can teach us.

Clemente's name will probably ring a bell for some baseball fans. The Puerto Rican superstar of the Pittsburgh Pirates, circa early 1970's, helped the fortunes of his baseball team and boosted financially challenged city right when he was needed. During that time, the "Pirates were in the pits in Pittsburgh," as the musical reminds us. Clemente's skill and record-breaking number of home-runs pulled the city out of the doldrums, even if just temporarily. Even for audiences members who don't have all of Clemente's statistics memorized, the play gives enough information to solidify his stature within history and the story. Jaysen Wright's sensitive portrayal of the baseball legend is also a plus.

As the local hero to a little leaguers across Pittsburgh, Clemente serves as an omniscient presence, especially to young Sam Kowalski, played with verve and charm by David Landstrom. Sam might be Clemente's biggest fan, but he is far from being a legendary baseball player, even in the sandlot. Sam chokes up when he pitches until a baseball he believes is Clemente's 3,000th home-run lands in his yard, offering him a good luck charm to be a killer pitcher. Sam's best friend happens to be a great player even without a magic charm but Charlie also happens to be a girl, which some little league players think means she can't play as well as the boys. Eben K. Logan makes a firm impression as the energetic and strong-willed Charlie. Sam and Charlie have their own secret handshake that is a wonderful device to show how long they have been friends and how close their bond is - which will be tested before the show is over, of course.

As the third-wheel and team mate, Philip da Costa is Peter, who likes to play baseball but wants to grow up to be an accountant like his father.

These three form a tight bond that is tested when the miracle Clemente baseball turns Sam into an amazing pitcher and the coolest kid in the neighborhood Joe invites Sam onto the best little league team in Pittsburgh, the Barracudas. Captain Joe (memorably played by Calvin McCullough) is the typical swaggering, alpha-male athlete who cares about winning games more than just playing baseball. There might not be an "I" in team, but there is plenty of "me" as far as Capt. Joe is concerned. His sycophantic team mate Noah (Anthony Coleman) hangs on his every word. The Barracuda team is rounded out by Tommy, Noah's brother. Captain Joe and Noah keep Tommy on the bench as much as possible as the bat boy. Tommy is a special needs child and in Joe and Noah's view, someone like Tommy is not capable of playing baseball. The role of Tommy alternates between Charlie Martin and Scott Callahan Lesmes.

Is the message of LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE becoming clearer? A baseball team that wants to win above everything recruits the newly blessed pitcher Sam. Charlie forms her own baseball team with the leftover players who just want to play and have fun. Sam's adoration of Clemente becomes deeper when the boy believes he can talk to the baseball superstar through his transistor radio. The premise works within the world Zacarias and La Puma have created to illuminate the true nature of a hero in a child's eyes.

It is when Clemente removes his cleats and puts down his bat that a true hero emerges, a lesson that is not lost on the young players. Throughout his career, Clemente's philanthropy and altruism was noted, something he did not to gain attention or glory, from all accounts. He felt a responsibility to help people, especially Latin America. In December, 1972, Nicaragua was struck by a devastating earthquake. Clemente, having played their as a young man, felt compelled to take action and volunteered to travel to the disaster zone to lend a hand. On December 31, 1972, Clemente boarded a small plane in Puerto Rico bound for Nicaragua, carrying supplies. The overloaded plane crashed just off of the Puerto Rican coast; there were no survivors.

The young baseball players, especially Sam, are crestfallen when their hero dies. But the lesson Clemente's life on and off the field is not lost on the little league players. Even Tommy gets his moment to play ball, in a moment of bittersweet triumph.

Director Janet Stanford uses her engaging and energetic cast to great advantage, and Stephen Brotebeck's choreography is creative and fun. Scenic designer Daniel Pinha, with projections by Lauren Hoy, use simple but effective means to create the world of the play, complimented by Sarah Tundermann's kaleidoscopic lighting design. Helping place the play in the early 70's - complete with bell bottoms and graphic t-shirts - Ivania Stack's costume designs are period perfect.

The ninety minute running time (with one intermission) is kid-friendly, but the story that unfolds onstage is one people of all ages can appreciate. In a world where youth sports is now more expensive and more high stakes than ever, LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE reminds us of the joy of letting kids just play ball. It also strikes a chord at reminding us that championship wins and a book full of statistics are not the only ways to define a hero.

Follow Jeffrey Walker on Twitter @jeffwalker66

90 minutes, with one intermission.

Best suited for ages 5 through adult.

LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE continues through May 22, 2016 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814. For information or tickets, click HERE or call 301-280-1660.

PHOTO CREDIT: MARGOT SCHULMAN/Imagination Stage

Opening Night: April 13, 2016

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