“Championship Season” a daring play

MARY JORDAN/Reviewer for the News & Messenger
Published: April 3, 2008

Rooftop Productions' "That Championship Season" presents a bleak view of a small town and the empty lives of its former stars.

Despair in dwindling economic opportunity and resistance to change have long been smalltown stereotypes, but this script is especially unforgiving.

Former basketball teammates and their coach reunite and discover what's really changed 30 years after their great championship victory.

Mark Yeager endows Coach with the believable bravado of a small man charged with leadership during more black-and-white times. His incredibly hateful rhetoric is delivered with sincerity and calm matter-of-factness that could only come from the frighteningly ignorant. Yeager, despite his charisma, rarely makes eye contact with his "boys." It's a stretch to believe these men would place so much of their lives in the hands of someone who doesn't look at them.

Scott Bailey's "George" is an imposing figure, struggling to hold onto his may-oral seat. His anger can be truly frightening, although more seething and less shouting would be more effective. Conversational moments come across as speeches, although as a pompous poli-tician, this may be appropriate.

Allen McRae beautifully conveys the hushed desperation of George's campaign manager, "James." James is trying to take back his life after it has been slowed responsibility. Although McRae is a good five inches taller than the other actors, he frequently blends into the background—which is just what his character should do.

John Bordeaux provides most of the laugh lines as James' alcoholic brother, "Tom." Bordeaux is a natural on stage, and he competently handles the physicality of the drinking, although his speech never slurs. His reactions are sometimes more interesting than the dialogue.

Matt Jordan's "Phil" is the town fat cat, deeply insecure despite his bluster. (Full disclosure: This reviewer is related to Jordan.) Phil has some of the uglier dialogue in the show, blithely churning out racial, religious, and sexist remarks. As with Bordeaux, Jordan's reactions are rooted in reality. His facial expressions at the end of the show could break hearts.

The set is spot on—an old bachelor's living room, stuck somewhere in the 1950s. Use of the bar area and porch are especially nice. The lamps on stage are evocative and add a genuine touch, but they take away from the tension at the end of the first act.

The intermission after act one seems misplaced. It might have fit better after the second act, since it is a three-act play.

The script is set in 1972, but this production moves it forward 10 years. The reason is unclear, as some of the political conversations become pointless and the costuming does not reflect the 1980s.

This is an adult play. Profanity is warranted, but there is a lot of it, and there's enough of-fensive dialogue to cause uncomfortable laughter and gasps from the audience.

Notwithstanding the oratorical moments in the script and pacing issues here and there, this is an engaging production. There is enough chemistry to keep the audience interested in whether the characters will grow, or if there is truth to Coach's assertion that "nothing changes but the date."

Mary Jordan has been active in local theatre since 1992.

WANT TO GO?

What's up: Rooftop Productions presents "That Championship Season"

When: April 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m.

Where: Rooftop Productions, Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street, Ma-nassas.

Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors; visit Center-for-the-arts.org/rooftop or call 703-330-ARTS (2787)