There are bigger secrets in baseball than steroids, and "Take Me Out," a play opening in Memphis tonight, aims to bring that secret out of the closet with a touch of comedy.
"Take Me Out" aims to highlight the hidden stereotypes that seemingly no longer exist within the world of baseball, primarily homosexuality.
"The play will really show how we look at celebrities and what we expect from them," said Dave Landis, director of the play.
Darren Lemming, a bi-racial superstar of his fictional baseball team (similar to the New York Yankees) at the height of his game, decides to come out to his team during a press conference days before the World Series begins.
"We really want to expose, though it's done in a very exaggerated way, racism and homophobia in baseball," said Carlos Canelo, an actor in the play. "Even though it's the 21st century, this stuff is still going on."
The play exposes some hot-button issues, but some may find the show itself slightly too exposing.
Male nudity is visible throughout the play, including several team shower scenes.
"I think it's necessary for the show. This male sanctuary being violated," Landis said. "It's about the trust."
Racial stereotypes are tackled as well, with several ethnicities dispersed throughout the team, included Hispanics and Asians, with "typical" responses to Lemming's outing.
"It'll be controversial in the beginning, I think, because of the dialogue and nudity," Canelo said. "I'm sure some will even leave the theatre.
"Some people will love it, especially the homosexual demographic, but if you're open-minded, you'll enjoy it."
"Take Me Out" opened in 2003, winning a Tony award the same year.
"I'm really excited to see the play," said Katie Bell, a junior biology major. "I've heard nothing but good things about it.
"It's good to see what the reaction will be to this kind of content."
Doors open for the play tonight at Playhouse on the Square at 7:30, with the show starting at 8. Tickets and reservations can be purchased by calling 726-4656. Wednesday will be "pay what you can night."
"Besides a good laugh, people will really enjoy the show," Canelo said. "Hopefully the play will show people that what happened 40 years ago is still going on.
"And you can laugh. I can't wait to see how people will react."
