“Something In The Game: An All-American Musical”

Highly Recommended ***** We have all heard the adage” fine wines become finer with age”. Is it possible that plays can do the same? I think that in order to do so, the writer would have to go back to the “drawing board” and recreate what they started out to do. This can take place when the writer matures and starts to see life from a different angle. It can also take place when an actor returns to play a role they did years earlier, but now, understands  the role more clearly. This leads me into my look at a special representation of a show we saw years ago in Munster, Indiana, “Something In The Game: An All-American Musical”, an epic look at the life ( and legend) of Knute Rockne, regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time.I think it was 2008 when this play first took light in the Chicago/Indiana ( home of Notre Dame, where Rockne became who he was). The book was written by Buddy Farmer with the music by Michael Mahler, who also wrote many of the lyrics along with David H. Bell, who directed and choreographed the stunning production now on stage at Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts in Evanston. This production features a cast of two dozen professional and student performers and the play has been updated to add some new life. I for one found the new production more stimulating and a better story-telling experience.

Leading this production in the role of Knute Rockne, one of the greatest coaches of all time is Stef Tovar, recreating the role that first got him notices as an actor that could sing. The years have aged him a bit, and the roles he has played over those years have made him a better singer ( not just an actor who can carry a tune, but a true singer) and I think in many ways, his maturity and his own father-son relationship has made him a better Rockne. Hats off to this actor for his bringing that inner love to the role and sharing it with us, the audience.

Playing his wife Bonnie,is the dynamic Dara Cameron, who is always a pleasure to watch and listen to her voice. Her range is sheer perfection. In the role of their son Billy is the adorable Charlie Herman. Father Walsh, the priest that opened the doors ( and kept them open according to the story) for Rockne is deftly handled by Chicago veteran James Rank, and the important “Gipper” ( we all recall the great line in Rockne’s film “Win one for the Gipper”) role is smoothly handled by Adrian Aguilar ( they say he is retiring from acting for a career in physical therapy. While I admire that, he is far too talented NOT to be on our Chicago stages) who will wow you with his ability to move and sing as well as act. He is a natural!

Other featured players are Rashada Dawan as Thelma ( the owner of the club “The Goat”) and Jimmy the Goat, himself played to perfection by James Earl Jones II. Brandon Springman plays several major roles and the ensemble ( mostly students who will soon become names that we will see in and around the Chicago theater scene: Jacob Baim, Alex Benoit, Miles Blim, Adam Ross Brody, Kaja Burke-Williams, Neal Davidson, Tucker Tab Degregory, Samuel Gardner, Will Herndon, Alex Jackson, Ruchir Khazanchi, Marvin J. Malone, Daniella Martino, Chloe Nadon-Enriquez, Emma Rothfield and Lindsay Whisler- great work by this highly energetic cast! Bravo!

The story is about the man, himself and his family. First his life as a high school drop-out who , faced by his father’s put-downs, decides to go to college at the greatest school, Notre Dame. Knute is not a catholic, and yet gets into the school and their football program. Here he meets his future wife and while he opts for a career in science, he is drawn to the football field and works his way up from assistant coach to the head of the athletic department, often spending more time on the fields than at home. While the story concentrates on sports, there is, in this new version, more about the man and his family, making it a better story to tell. It is the struggle between career and family ( it could be any field, not only football).

The musical numbers led by Matthew Burgess are a major part of the story telling process and some even stand out as songs that could stand alone. “Easy Come, Easy Go” and “I Never Saw It Coming” are songs that show up several times and “Due Diligence” that ends the first act is a strong look at the paths seen by three major players. “There’s Something In The Game” ( the title song) is also another repeated tune as are “All American” and one of the most chilling songs is “Ordinary Heroes” handled by Tovar and Aguilar ( you might need a tissue or two for this one).

The tech side of the production is solid and works much better on a real stage over the theater-in-the-round of Munster’s Theatre At The Center, with a set by Alan Schwanke, lighting by Jesse Klug and sound by Christopher Kriz. The costumes (Robert S. Kuhn) take us back in time to  the period between 1909 and 1929 and the play runs two hours and 15 minutes including the 15 minute intermission.

The theater is located at 30 Arts Circle Drive on the campus of Northwestern, just off Sheridan Road with lots of free parking. The seats are very comfy and there is plenty of leg room and the sight lines are super.

“Something In The Game: An All -American Musical” will continue at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts thru August 5th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

Tickets are $35, $30 for seniors and educators, $27 for NU staff and emeritus and $10 for students ( with ID’s) and kids.

To get your opportunity to see this breath-taking production call 847-491-7282 or stop by the box office, or visit https://wirtz.northwestern.edu/

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at”Something In The Game: An All-American Musical”