Back Back Back

By Itamar Moses

Directed by Davis McCallum

Originally produced at The Old Globe, San Diego,CA.

September 19, 2008 through October 26, 2008

About the Premiere Production: Before the headlines blazed with sporting steroid scandals comes Itamar Moses’ (The Four of Us, Bach at Leipzig) funny yet insightful new work about the careers of three major players making their way in the world of professional baseball – a world too competitive to rely only on raw talent. The play examines how each individual deals with the stress of keeping up their stats while balancing their personal and professional lives. This award-winning playwright brings the Globe another world-premiere production that takes audiences inside the locker room to witness the how these teammates face each other and do battle – for their careers, their legacies, and the future of America’s favorite pastime.

Artistic Statement: Back, Back, Back, a play about a beloved American sport, chronicles the lives of three major league baseball players and the choices they’ve made in their careers. Using recent investigations of steroid abuse by professional athletes, the play raises questions about how to use advances in bioscience, whether ethics are as important as winning – and the consequences of breaking the rules. Itamar Moses, a playwright of immense gifts who writes with a distinctive voice, shows the potential for developing into a major playwright. While still in the early stages of his career, Moses has demonstrated a willingness to tackle difficult ideas and a wide range of subjects in his plays. He’s versatile, intelligent, and bravely philosophical – willing to take risks and open to collaboration with other artists and audiences as he continues to develop his craft. One of the primary goals of The Old Globe’s play development program is to establish lasting creative associations with playwrights, like Itamar Moses, whose contributions can advance the American theatre. - From Executive Producer Lou Spisto:

Director: Davis McCallum

Set Design:Lee Savage

Lighting Design:Russell Champa

Sound Design:Paul Peterson

Costume Design:Christal Weatherly

Subsequent Productions:

Manhattan Theater Club, October 30, 2008 - January 25, 2009

Dallas Theater Center, March 11-April 5, 2009

News

Drama Desk Nomination:

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Jeremy Davidson

Back, Back, Back by Itamar Moses

“(Back, Back, Back) scores as an intimate, well-observed take on baseball’s recent steroid scandal, credibly depicting an increasingly paranoid environment where teammate distrusts teammate.”

- Theater Mania

“Like Itamar Moses’ two previous plays, Back Back Back, is entertaining and involving, with dialogue that, besides its already mentioned authenticity, sparkles with quick wit.”

- Curtain Up

“Back Back Backis one of those reasons that people leave the safety of their homes and venture out to the wild streets - because they want the soul’s cargo to be shifted.”

- Blogcritics