Press Opening Night of Johnny Baseball

I won these tickets through my participation as a Citysearch Dictator for uploading the most photographs to local businesses.  I absolutely love being a Citysearch Dictator!  What is that you ask?  Basically its a group of elite Bostonites selected by Citysearch Boston editor Christine Liu for our love of experiencing the city and sharing our opinions.  Does this sound like something that interests you?  Then apply here:  http://bit.ly/dictatorsignup  a sample of our event lineup this summer: http://boston.citysearch.com/list/191281

Make sure you follow Citysearch on Twitter for event updates, opportunities to win tickets, (@Citysearchbos or www.twitter.com/CitysearchBOS) and fan them on Facebook for their weekly contests (http://www.facebook.com/#!/CitysearchBOS).  Now on to my night at Johnny Baseball.

Located at 64 Brattle Street in Harvard Square (Cambridge) is The American Repertory Theater (http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/) a fantastic facility where Johnny Baseball is running in their Loeb Drama Center.

We were welcomed into the theater and given pink Press folders that came equipped with programs, schedule of events at the theater, the January to June edition of ART magazine, and copies of various news articles promoting the show. Our seats were four rows up and gave a feeling that you were at a stadium and truly a part of the show.

I loved the stage and recreation of Fenway Park through these box awnings and the actual stage itself.  The actors were phenomenal with truly standout performances by Colin Donnell (Johnny O'Brien), Stephanie Umoh (Daisy Wyatt), and Burke Moses (Babe Ruth).  I was pleasantly suprised that the bar allowed patrons to bring drinks into the theater - a selling point for anyone that likes to drink (any beverage alcoholic or not) while enjoying the show.  The musical numbers in Act 1 painted a truly vivid picture of the heart of Red Sox fans and the angst felt between Johnny and Daisy.  Drawn into their plight of an interracial relationship I found my emotions deeply vested in the hopeful success of their partnership, but the first act ends on a cliffhanger to be resolved in the second (final) act.

During intermission there were hot dog and sausage stands that were akin to the ones you may find along Landsdowne St by the gates of Fenway.  It was a nice touch and they also had outdoor traveling bars that offered bottled beer and wine.  There was a nominal fee associated with the food and drinks, but definitley nothing like the prices sausage stands command on Fenway. 

The second act was just as amazing as the first, and to avoid giving away any of the musical I will keep the rest of this brief.  I must however include my favorite quote of the show when Babe Ruth is in the hospital.

Nurse to Babe:  Babe, you flirting?

Babe:  I'm to weak to flirt... I'm begging.  (Aside to audience:  Ain't easy to coax a dame into a death bed)

At the conclusion of the show a free buffet of baseball foods were provided for all in attendance.  Complimentary beverages (Wine, Water, and Beer) were also available.  I personally opted for a heaping plate of potato salad, casear salad, and kielbasa.  Free icecream novelties were handed out during the speeches at the conclusion of the buffet.

Note the lovely pink press packet and free Johnny Baseball baseball!  I am happy to mention that the show was extended its dates until July 11th.  If you have not seen the show yet make sure you do before the doors close forever!