Take Me Out: A Play

Just reading it did not spark my interest.

Thought provoking

This play is even more poignant today than it was when first produced.

This play by Richard Greenberg is an utter masterpiece of contemporary theatre. This play uses the framing device of a baseball locker room to touch upon issues of racism, homophobia, and elitism. The concept of the play seems to me to be that people are quick to judge, and rusty on forgiveness. Greenberg has a two act structure that follows the career of Darren, an African-American professional baseball player, who publicly comes out as gay. A powerful story with great material for monologues. I was assigned this for an acting class and I found it extremely valuable. My copy I ordered was used, but was in near perfect condition. I have had the book for a few months, and it took me a good couple of days to read. I highly recommend you add this to your library, you will not regret it!

Wow! Read this (or better yet, see it) and marvel at the wonders of great playwriting. Dazzling writing + a great story = amazing theatre. The characters jump off the page. This is NOT a "gay play", but a story about choices, courage and consequences. Squeezed in there is a monologue on baseball that is destined to achieve classic status and would make anyone want to head out to the ballfield. Somehow all of the elements of this play just work, though I defy anyone to explain how, in simple terms. It doesn't seem complex, but it is. This is what great writing for the theatre is all about...still alive and well in the 21st century: smart, provocative, fun and moving! Thank you Richard Greenberg!

While I hope the sporting world is beginning to move beyond the rampant homophobia in locker rooms, this play captures the dynamics one might have faced in the 90's as they tried to escape the closet in the middle of a pennant race. The story focuses more so on the dynamics of the team/league, versus the public's perception of an "out" athlete. Inspiring and moving -- a home run.

This is (as Vonnegut would say) is a "Kilgore Trout" book: one that is better as an idea than as something to read. As an idea, it's great. As a play, the dialogue isn't very realistic. The baseball players talk like they're in a Woody Allen movie. Very arty, references to cultural things, a little neurotic. Pro Ballplayers do not generally talk like Woody Allen. The dialogue just took me out of the story. I couldn't believe that real people would talk like that. As a gay man, I bought it because the idea is catnip to gays, but the writing didn't really get me into the action, but took me out of it. I recommend reading a sample before buying it to make sure that this problem doesn't bother you.

Very fine writing, definitely a crowd-pleaser, but very enjoyable nevertheless.

Una obra que, en su estreno, fue premiada con el Tony y que en su reestreno obtuvo un segundo Tony. Estupendamente escrita, con golpes dramáticos y sorpresivos y con un urgente llamado a la inclusión. Dentro del baseball, el deporte USA por excelencia, la estrella del equipo revela su orientación sexual provocando reacciones de toda índole. Una lectura emocionante y muy ilustrativa.

Está bien. No hay mucho más que decir. Me imagino que la producción en el teatro sería más divertido que leer el texto. Lo bueno es que el lenguaje y los conceptos son sencillos así que vale para una clase de secundaria.