Play Ball!

By Aaron Bailey in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 23, 2005 8:25PM

Chicagoist is almost as excited about the first pitch at Wrigley Field as we are about the Chicago premiere of Take Me Out at Steppenwolf Theater.

Derrick Cole stars as Darren Lemming, the all-American macho baseball star at the top of his career who holds a press conference to reveal he's gay. The play examines the taboo of gay players in professional sports. Lemming is forced to confront prejudice from his teammates, media and fans. If the plot doesn't get your bat swinging, there's a number of full-frontal shower scenes that should.

The show which received rave reviews in the big leagues on Broadway, is directed by Eric Rosen and produced by About Face Theater.

Take Me Out runs March 24 to May 1. Tickets are $25-40 and available on Steppenwolf's website.

For off-stage gay sports action, hit OutSports or strap on the cleats and play ball with the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association.