By Jessica Chase
The Scene staff
Jeremy Connors faced a big challenge preparing for his role in “Bleacher Bums,” a play being staged at Forest Park this weekend.
His character, Greg, is a Chicago Cubs fan who has been blind since birth.
“It was hard playing this character because I had to adjust to playing a blind person and react differently throughout the play to things,” said Connors, 23, a business administration major.
“Greg is a sensitive guy and not insecure about his disability. I can relate to this character’s passion for sports, especially baseball.”
Connors is one of 10 cast members in “Bleacher Bums.” It takes place in the bleachers at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
A group of fans are watching a game on a summer afternoon. They’re drinking beer, eating hot dogs and making friendly wagers.
“This is a fun play, and I felt appropriate since people of St. Louis are baseball fans, and there is a bit of a rivalry with the Chicago Cubs,” said director Alex Saccavino, a mass communications professor.
“Bleacher Bums” will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in the Mildred E. Bastian Center for the Performing Arts at Forest Park. Admission is free.
The play was written and first performed by Chicago’s Organic Theater Company in 1977.
A stage production was taped and aired on PBS two years later. It was adapted into a made-for-TV movie in 2002.
“It’s funny,” said La ’Page Davis, who plays Melody, the “hot girl” at the game.
Davis, 23, a theater major, auditioned for the play to get more acting experience.
“One of the challenges I faced while rehearsing was knowing my cue for things and not having a major speaking role since I like to talk a lot,” she said.
Gregory Clark plays Richie, who is verbally abused by all the other characters. He is considered nerdy and socially awkward, and he’s constantly seeking approval from others.
“I can relate to this character because I keep to myself and can come off as a bit of a loner,” said Clark, 28, a communications major.
Latasha Brown plays Rose, a homemaker who’s not intimidated by men.
Rose wears a “house dress” according to the script, but Brown and Saccavino decided that was too strange for the 21st century, so she is wearing regular clothes.
“I can relate to the character when it comes to men and how (she) treats them by putting them in their place,” said Brown, 32, a mass communications major.
“This is my first play,” she added. “I was nervous learning my lines, but now I feel more comfortable.”
Cast members insist audiences need not know about baseball to enjoy “Bleacher Bums.” They called it a “cheap date.”
“It should be entertaining, and of course it’s free,” Saccovino said. “By going to the play, you’re helping support the work of first-time actors on stage who are students at Forest Park.”