The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Love doesn't always score a touchdown
By Sandi Kasha, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2007
Sometimes ambition can blind a person from what really matters.
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At least that's what the Purple Rose Theatre's latest production "When the Lights Come On" conveys.
On the surface, the play, which had its world premier this month, is a testosterone-fueled homage to football.
But looking closer, beneath the football lingo and the macho faÁade the male characters put forth, the play is about loyalty, sacrifice and devotion to a sport that can consume those involved.
And it does!
We watch Tommy Leonard (Brian Letscher) get devoured by the game in the course of three years. Once he is promoted to a Division 1 football coach, Tommy is so ambitious and driven that he loses sight of what's important and that causes a strain in his marriage.
But Tommy is deaf and blind to his deteriorating marriage and rather than scramble to save his relationship with wife Jamie (Rhiannon R. Ragland), he throws himself into working long hours to "live, eat and breathe football."
Then things get complicated and the pressure is on when Tommy is then faced with ultimatums in his marriage and career. Tommy and his fellow coaches must win the recruiting war and sign a big time blue-chipper or get fired.
Rather than cracking under the pressure, Tommy takes his ambitious streak to another level and he gradually detaches from his domestic life.
So much so that his fellow coach, Frank Harley (Wayne David Parker), advises him to relax and enjoy the moment.
"Enjoy where you are instead of worrying where you want to be," Frank said.
And Tommy wants to move up in the coaching world where betrayal, lies and backstabbing are part of the game plan.
Football is a man's game and there isn't room for women.
"It's not easy being a coach's wife," lamented Tina Harley (Michelle Mountain).
That is an understatement since the women are pushed to the background as the neglected wives forgotten by their husbands who would rather have an affair with football.
Mountain along with newcomer Ragland provides superb, solid performances considering their roles were one-dimensional.
The wives seem to play second fiddle to their larger-than-life husbands who work late and are reluctant to include them into their football world.
Perhaps, it's intended to have the women reduced to dutiful housewives staying up late until their husband's decide to come home.
The wives seem to compete with football in hopes that their hardworking, passionate husbands would provide them with the same attention and care.
The production gives the viewer a glimpse about the college football coaching world and how cut-throat of a business it can be.
Behind the scenes: written by Brian Letscher; directed by Guy Sanville; set design by Dennis G. Crawley; costume design by Vikte Jankus Moss; lighting design by Dana White; sound design by Quintessa Gallinat; prop design by Danna Segrest; stage managed by Stefanie Din.
BOX:
"When the Lights Come On" is set to run through May 2 at Chelsea's Purple Rose Theatre, located at 137 Park Street.
Recommended for mature audiences due to language and adult content.
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