Back Back Back

by Itamar Moses

Drama / 3m / Interior Before headlines blazed, before the Mitchell Report and ESPN lit up millions of television screens with the scandals, before congressional jaws dropped, comes the story of three guys making their way in the world of professional baseball - a world too competitive to rely solely on raw talent. This explosive play from the acclaimed writer of The Four of Us and Bach at Leipzig takes you behind the headlines into the locker room to witness an even more gripping confrontation you didn't see on TV, as these teammates face each other and do battle - for their careers, their legacies, and the future of America's favorite pastime. Edgerton Foundation 2008 New American Plays Award

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting: Various locker rooms, dugouts, press rooms, and other locations around MLB.
Genre: Drama Length: 1 Act; 61 pgs. Cast Size: 3 M
Basis: Original Adaptations: None
Productions: Off-Broadway
Accolades: Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award (’08)

Background

Writing
Positive
- Apparent that research was done on topic
- Not just about baseball, but more about sports politics – not typically found in plays
- Liked how the word “steroids” is never said or used
- Monologues to press seem very authentic
Negative
- Liked some scenes more than others
- Some scenes seem a little unrelated; wished common thread was stronger and more obvious
- Scene directions and notes designate year of each scene but not always clear in dialogue so could get confusing since years change often
- Title underdeveloped/not used well within: Raul says “back to back to back” a few times and Adam says “Back, back, back” as final lines of play
- Story is okay, characters likeable enough but not a ton to care about
- Only skims surface of subject material, should have gone more in-depth
- Dialogue conversational but to somewhat of a fault: too many short and abrupt fragments and things like “Oh yeah no” and “um no I mean uh”

Other
Casting/Acting
- Need three relatively strong actors mainly because of size of role, no terribly expertise acting talents required but should be good at dramatic acting and carrying a show; Kent/Raul have multiple lengthy monologues, Adam one at end
- Actors should look athletic
- Raul Hispanic? No designation but with name and diction seems to be so may need an accent even if it’s subtle
- Raul should be decent with comedic delivery; could be a fun role to play because also very animated, mercurial, aggressive
- Small and limited casting options w/ only three men, but possibly could add extras as reporters, other players, etc.
Direction
- Appreciation of sports/sports politics would be a plus
- Allows for creative lighting, scene transitions
- Must be good at blocking and staging since only two, sometimes three actors in a scene



Production
- Accessible for any company anywhere because only names of cities are mentioned and used, not team names; copyright issue if wanted to use team attire?
- Could be pricey and challenging for set design with many locations (weight room, press room, locker room, multiple offices, dugout, batting cages/mound, baseball field) but could be minimalistic and creative
Audience
- Would most likely yield little audience draw due to low profile
- Not sure if those not into baseball/sports would enjoy it

All in All
- Second time reading; very little memory of first read
- Second sports play read for journaling, better than Bleacher Bums at least
- Like enough to direct or play Adam if opportunity arose but wouldn’t seek out