Baseball’s date with destiny
A trenchant pulse fuels “National Pastime” in its California premiere at the Fremont Centre Theatre. Though slow to warm up, Bryan Harnetiaux’s populist account of how Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey saw the historic potential in Jackie Robinson builds to involving levels.
Diehard fan Harnetiaux initially trades data for dramatic form. He opens with African American columnist Wendell Smith (Ted Lange) and legendary announcer Red Barber (Vaughn Armstrong). They toss pointed comments across Victoria Profitt’s sleek abstract set, where “National Pastime’s” central pair stand silhouetted upstage.
However, once Smith upbraids Rickey (the towering Frank Ashmore) on behalf of African American talent, “National Pastime” begins to crackle. “This isn’t heaven, Mr. Smith,” says Rickey. “Baseball’s a business.... You get rid of Jim Crow, then you talk to me about Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige.” Barber presents Robinson (the wonderful Jed Reynolds) and his stalwart mother, Mallie (Luise Heath, a force of nature), who berates her son for playing on Sundays.
Thereafter “National Pastime” loads its episodic bases with increasing power. Harnetiaux’s statistics don’t mask his gift for dialogue and humor, and he clearly understands the broader implications. Such integrity blooms by the pin-drops scene in which Rickey and Robinson reach detente, then alliance.
Act 2 follows Robinson and wife Rachel (the lovely Denise Boutte) as they struggle with Rickey’s strategy. At the heart-stopping Greek choral climax, Robinson meets his trailblazing destiny, with an assist from Harold “Pee Wee” Reese (Todd Cattell).
Director James Reynolds exercises expert care. He has major-league assets in his designers, including Lois Tedrow (costumes) and Carol Doehring (lighting).
The entire cast is winning, with Sarah Lilly’s Jane Rickey, Connie Ventress’ Lylah Barber and Lamont Thompson’s Satchel Paige among other standouts. Their devotion mirrors Harnetiaux’s. His moving labor of love scores a home run.
*
‘National Pastime’
Where: Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena
When: 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays
Ends: April 24
Price: $20
Contact: (626) 441-5977; www.fremontcentretheatre.com
Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
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