Merrimack Rep is "Rounding Third"
Big Hearted Little-League Comedy

Merrimack Repertory Theatre will present “Rounding Third,” Richard Dresser’s humorous look at the highly competitive world of coaching Little League, from April 22nd through May 16th.

Artistic Director Charles Towers will direct Edward Hodson and Frank Deal in a journey of self-discovery as fathers, husbands, role models and coaches. “Rounding Third” is inspired by the playwright's own coaching experience.

With their hunter/gatherer days long over, where do men belong in today's society? Where do they channel their naturally aggressive natures? Pro wrestling and hockey stands?

Playwright Richard Dresser suggests it’s more likely guys channel their unfulfilled dreams through their children, living their lives from the sidelines, cheering and coaching.

In “Rounding Third,” Michael and Don are two sides of the same Little League coaching coin, so they disagree about everything from the rules of the game to the rules of fatherhood to the rules of socks. Forced together for the "kids' sake," they struggle, with humor, to find their own common ground.

Edward Hodson is making his Merrimack Repertory Theatre debut as Don. His Broadway credits include the title role in the tour of “Amadeus,” while his Off-Broadway credits include “Imperfect Love” and Horton Foote's “Talking Pictures.” He also spent seven seasons with American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

Frank Deal returns to Merrimack Repertory Theatre as Michael after appearing in last season's production of “Women Who Steal.” Frank's Off-Broadway credits include the World premiere of Paul Rudnick's “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told,” “One Neck” with Allison Janney, “Othello,” “The Woman in White” and “Second Hand Smoke.”

"Rounding Third" marks Richard Dresser’s third play in three years at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. A native Massachusetts, his Off-Broadway credits include “Rounding Third” and “Below the Belt” at the John Houseman Theatre; “Gun-Shy” and “Below the Belt” at Playwrights Horizons; “Splitsville” and “Better Days” at Primary Stages; “Bait & Switch” at the West Bank Café; and “Road to Ruin,” “At Home” and “Bed & Breakfast” at the Ensemble Studio Theatre. He also wrote the screenplay for “Below the Belt,” which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

For information and tickets, call 978-454-3926.

-- OnStage Boston

4/11/04