'Rounding Third' at the Sauk Theatre explores competition, fatherhood
JONESVILLE — Jeff Webb always wanted to give acting another shot.
“This play seemed like the perfect opportunity to blend my love of baseball, coaching and the theater,” said Webb, who plays Don in The Sauk’s production of “Rounding Third” this weekend at the Sauk Theatre in Jonesville. “It has been over 35 years since I last appeared as Gollum in 'The Hobbit.'”
Webb, a teacher at Hudson Middle School, plays Don, the tough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran Little League coach whose son is the star pitcher. Darren Taylor plays Michael, a newcomer to town and baseball. Michael agrees to be Don’s assistant because he wants a special activity with his son, who has never played baseball before.
Despite their differences, Michael and Don form an uneasy alliance for the benefit of the team. And over the course of exhilarating victories, heartbreaking defeats, and interminable rain-outs, the two men battle over how to lead the team. Michael believes that the job of the coaches is to shield the kids from the intense pressure of competition while making sure everyone has a good time. Don thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win. Out of these conflicting philosophies, the real issues of the play emerge: how should we raise our children? Since we live in such a ferociously competitive society, do we protect our children as long as possible? Or do we prepare them to be tough enough to win? And what does it mean to be an American man?
“When I read the script for 'Rounding Third,' I knew it was about baseball but I quickly learned it was about so much more than that, said director Sarah Gray. “It's also about life. How a person coaches a team shows more than how they perceive the sport, it also shows how they look at life. I have met versions of both Don and Michael in my life — I've been coached by them and I've watched them coach my kids.”
The Sauk’s production includes design by Trinity Bird (set), Jennifer Yokell (costumes and properties), Mari Nuñez (lighting) and Joella Hendrickson (sound). The production is stage managed by Chris Dube. The crew includes Ron Boyle, Diane Langan and Ezra Hutchinson.
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“While I hope you are genuinely entertained and have a few laughs with Don and Michael through this play, I also hope you leave thinking about your own philosophy when it comes to sports and life in general,” Gray added.
Performances are Aug. 24-26 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. All tickets are $10. Tickets are available in advance at thesauk.org or by calling 517-849-9100. The Aug. 24 performance is a Pay What You Can Preview. These tickets are not sold in advance. All performances are at the Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago St. in Jonesville.
This production is sponsored by Playford Real Estate. The 2023 season is sponsored by Joyous Journey Photography. The 2023 media sponsor is WCSR Radio Hillsdale and 99-5 The Dale. The Sauk is supported by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: 'Rounding Third' at the Sauk Theatre explores competition, fatherhood
