Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams in “Take Me Out” (Photo: Joan Marcus)
Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Award-winning revival of Richard Greenberg’s play Take Me Out will return to Broadway this October. The 14-week limited run begins October 27 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Original stars Jesse Williams and Jesse Tyler Ferguson will both reprise their roles.
“Second Stage’s Tony Award-winning production was one of the most buzzed about plays of the spring season, and its limited run was too brief to capture the interest and demand for tickets,” said producer Barry Weissler. “Fran and I are so honored to serve as pinch-hitters and take the show into extra innings. We were blown away when we saw it at the Hayes earlier this year under Scott Ellis’ brilliant direction. After being big fans when the play premiered back in 2004, we were struck by how relevant and timely it continues to be.”
Ferguson won a 2022 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his work in Take Me Out, while Williams was nominated in the same category. Ellis’ production also won the Tony for Best Revival of a Play. The remainder of the cast for the show’s return staging will be announced at a later date.
In Take Me Out, playwright Richard Greenberg celebrates the personal and professional intricacies of America’s favorite pastime. When Darren Lemming, the star center fielder for the Empires, comes out of the closet, the reception off the field reveals a barrage of long-held unspoken prejudices dealing with sexuality and masculinity, money and power, and race and class. Facing some hostile teammates and fraught friendships, Darren is forced to contend with the challenges of being a gay person of color within the confines of a classic American institution. As the Empires struggle to rally toward a championship season, the players and their fans begin to question tradition, their loyalties, and the price of victory.
The full creative team includes scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Bray Poor, and casting by Jim Carnahan.
Tickets for Take Me Out will go on sale exclusively for American Express Card Members on Friday, August 19 at 10 AM. General on-sale begins Friday, August 26 at 10 AM.