Mothers and Sons

Playing at circle in The Square located at 235 West 50th Street. It plays one hour fifty minute with one intermission. The show closes on March 2, 2014.

The Yankees were founded in Baltimore, Maryland. Known as the Baltimore Orioles from 1901-1902. From 1903-1912 they were known as the New York Highlanders. Since 1913 they are known as New York Yankees.

Nick names they have are “The Bronx Bombers”, “The Yanks”, “The Pinstripes” “The Bronx Zoo” and “Evil Empire”.

Major league affiliations are American League (1901- present) and East Division (1969-present).

The Yankees are one of the most successful franchise professionals in sport history. They have won 18 divisions titles, 40 AL pendants and 27 World Series Championships. The last was in 2009.

Forty four Yankee players and eleven Yankee mangers have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Among them are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra.

The team is owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, an LLC controlled by the family of George Steinbrenner, who purchased the team in 1973.

Estimated value of the team is 2.3 billion dollars.

The play premiered at the Primary Stages in New York City from September 20, 2013 thru October 19, 2013.

Eric Simonson is the Playwright/Director. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1992 for “The Song of Jacob Zulu.

Beowulf Boritt is the Set Designer. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 2010 for “The Scottsboro Boys”.

David C. Woolard is the Costume Designer. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 2001 for “The Rocky Horror Show” and in 1993 for a Tony Award and Olivier Award for “The Who’s Tommy”.

Peter Scolari was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1987, 1988 and 1989 for the “Bob Newhart Show”.

Mickey Mantle (1931-1995) played center field from 1951-1968. His #7 retired. Mickey’s nicknames were “The Commerce Comet” and “The Mick”.

Thurman Munson (1949-1979) was a catcher from1969-1979. He was the first team captain since Lou Gehrig.

Derek Jeter (1974) is short stop since 1995 to the present.

Yogi Berra (1925) was a catcher and outfielder from 1946-1963. He was Coach 1963 and Manager in 1963.

Reggie Jackson (1946) was right fielder from 1977-1981. His #44 retired. Reggie nickname was “Mr. October”.

Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) was center fielder from 1936-1942 and 1946-1951. His #5 retired. Joe’s nicknames were “Joltin Joe” and “The Yankee Clipper”.

Elston Howard (1929-1980) was left fielder from 1955-1967. He was coach from 1969-1979. His #32 retired. Elston was the first African American on the Yankee roster.

Billy Martin (1928-1989) was second basemen from 1950-1957. He was manager 1975-1978, 1979, 1983, 1985 and 1988. His #1 retired.

Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) was first baseman from 1923-1939. His #4 retired. Lou’s nickname was “The Iron Horse”.

Babe Ruth (1895-1948) was out fielder and pitcher from 1920-1934. His #3 retired. Babe’s nick names were “The Bambino” and “The Sultan of Swat”.

The play takes place in the Boston Sheraton in June 1977, the Berra bedroom. Yankee locker room September 2008 and a dining room somewhere in between.

Yogi Berra (Peter Scolari) has Thurman Munson (Bill Dawes) come to his room. He asks for his help. It seems Billy Martin (Keith Nobbs) and Reggie Jackson (Francois Battiste) had a blowout fight on the playing field. Yogi wants Thurman to help smooth things out between the two. Billy is afraid he is going to be fired.

Yogi is at home with his wife Carmen (Tracy Shayne). He keeps hearing voices of dead Yankees like Micky Mantle.

Carmen is having a dinner party with some of the well-known Yankees such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe Di Maggio, Lou Gehig, Elston Howard and Derek Jeter. We get to meet the players and how they interact with the people at the party. Of course Yogi is dreaming this.

Last is the last day at the old Yankee stadium (1976-2008).

The second act is the strongest act. It would have had more impact on the story, if the scenes were in different sequence. It would have been a much better play.

Despite this it is an interesting play. If you are a Yankee fan or like baseball you would like this play.

The play is in the round. The furniture comes from the basement or ceiling. The bad thing about being in the being in the round it depends on where you seat is as to how much you see.

This is a stellar cast.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich

Photos by Annazor

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to the left for recent photos. Click on recent photos for this and other shows.