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Dateline: 10/23/2009

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE
Dale Goodwin, Director
Peter Tormey, Associate Director

Readers Theater Play 'Take Me Out' Starts Nov. 11

Zags' basketball star Steven Gray plays the central role of Darren in "Take Me Out," which opens Nov. 11 at the Magnuson Theatre at Gonzaga University.
Steven Gray. Photo by Dale Goodwin.
Gonzaga Readers Theater Project will present “Take Me Out,” by Richard Greenberg, as its next staged reading of an exciting modern play that confronts contemporary issues starting Nov. 11-12 at 7 p.m. nightly and a special late-night performance at 10 p.m., Nov. 13. All performances are in the Magnuson Theatre, located at the east end of Gonzaga University’s College Hall. Admission is by voluntary donation; reservations are not accepted.

Winner of numerous awards, including a Tony for Best Play in 2003, “Take Me Out” is the story of the Empires, a professional baseball team whose sure-bet season to take the World Series careens deep into left field when star centerfielder Darren Lemming decides to come out of the closet on national TV.

Darren’s honesty forces his teammates to confront all the fears, prejudices, and divisions they politely conceal in order to play the game they love. “Take Me Out” rounds all the bases from comedy to tragedy and back as it asks why men can work, play, suffer, and do so many other things so well together, but just can’t figure out how to talk to one another.

The cast of “Take Me Out” features Gonzaga theater veterans and newcomers – including Zags’ basketball star Steven Gray (pictured at left) as Darren. Gray was recently named among the best shooters in college basketball.

Rev. Kevin Connell, principal of Gonzaga Prep and director of the play, said Gray’s performance is “remarkable.”

“I think he’s going to really surprise some people,” Rev. Connell said. “Mark Machtolf (Zags’ head baseball coach) and the Prep baseball program have also helped us out with loans of some baseball props.”

The production includes rough, locker-room language and adult situations and is not appropriate for children.

For more information, please contact Brian Russo at (509) 313-6551 or via e-mail; or Rev. Kevin Connell, S.J., principal of Gonzaga Prep, at (509) 994-2788 or via e-mail.

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