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7 Shocking Secrets Behind The Tony-Winning 'Take Me Out' Broadway Revival (And Why It Still Matters)

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The Broadway revival of Richard Greenberg's groundbreaking play, Take Me Out, may have concluded its run in early 2023, but its cultural reverberations continue to echo in the theater world and beyond. As of December 2025, the production is still cited as a masterclass in modern drama, having swept the 2022 Tony Awards and sparked intense conversations about celebrity, race, and sexuality in professional sports. This deep dive uncovers the legacy, the controversy, and the artistic genius that made this revival an instant classic.

The play, which first premiered in 2002, found a renewed and urgent relevance two decades later, confirming its status as a seminal work of American theater. The revival, produced by Second Stage Theater and directed by Scott Ellis, managed to elevate the material for a new generation, tackling the complex themes of identity politics and homophobia in sports with a fresh, raw intensity that captivated critics and audiences alike. It’s a powerful, witty, and profoundly moving exploration of what happens when the private life of a sports icon becomes a very public spectacle.

The Star-Studded Lineup and Award-Winning Creative Team

The success of the 2022 revival was inextricably linked to its phenomenal cast and the seasoned creative team who brought a new vision to Richard Greenberg’s script. The production was a major event on the Broadway calendar, drawing in fans of television and film eager to see their favorite stars on the stage.

Key Cast and Creative Team Biography

  • Playwright: Richard Greenberg
    • Known For: Take Me Out (Tony Award for Best Play, 2003), The Assembled Parties, The American Plan, Three Days of Rain.
    • Style: Witty, articulate, and deeply psychological dramas that often explore themes of loneliness, celebrity, and American identity.
  • Director: Scott Ellis
    • Career Highlights: A nine-time Tony Award nominee, known for his work on both plays and musicals, including She Loves Me and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
    • Contribution to Take Me Out: Praised for his intimate and compelling staging at the Helen Hayes Theatre.
  • Darren Lemming (Played by Jesse Williams)
    • Role: The star center fielder for the fictional Major League Baseball team, the Empires, whose decision to come out as gay sets the play's dramatic events in motion.
    • Broadway Debut: This production marked Jesse Williams's Broadway debut, best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy.
  • Mason Marzac (Played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson)
    • Role: Darren's financial advisor who becomes an unexpected, effusive fan of baseball and a confidant.
    • Major Award: Won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.
    • Known For: Mitchell Pritchett on the hit sitcom Modern Family.
  • Shane Mungitt (Played by Michael Oberholtzer)
    • Role: A young, talented, and deeply troubled relief pitcher whose racist and homophobic remarks lead to tragedy.
    • Recognition: Nominated for the 2022 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.

The Enduring Controversy: Nudity and The Locker Room Setting

One of the most talked-about aspects of Take Me Out, both in its original 2003 run and the 2022 revival, is the extensive use of the baseball team's locker room as a primary setting. This choice is central to the play's themes, but it also brought a level of controversy due to the inclusion of full male nudity.

The play’s setting is not merely a backdrop; the locker room is a crucible where the play’s core themes of masculinity, vulnerability, and the tribal nature of professional sports are boiled down to their essence. The nudity, which involves several cast members including Jesse Williams, was a deliberate artistic choice by Richard Greenberg and director Scott Ellis.

This element was widely discussed in the media, but critics ultimately agreed it served a vital dramatic function. It forces the audience to confront the raw, unvarnished reality of the male athletic space—a space of enforced intimacy and often brutal emotional repression. The controversy surrounding the nudity only highlighted the play’s success in challenging societal norms about the male body and sexuality in a high-stakes, public arena like Major League Baseball.

Why the 2022 Revival Was a Cultural Home Run

Despite the play’s original success, the 2022 revival at the Helen Hayes Theatre felt particularly timely. The conversation around LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports has evolved significantly since 2002, yet the challenges of coming out remain a potent issue. The play’s exploration of identity politics, celebrity culture, and the power of language resonated with a contemporary audience.

The production was a critical darling, ultimately winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. This major win cemented its place as one of the most important dramatic revivals of the decade.

Key Entities and Topical Authority: Themes and Impact

The play’s script is rich with complex themes, providing a masterclass in topical authority for modern drama. Key entities and concepts explored include:

  • Homophobia in Sports: The central conflict, driven by the reaction of the fictional Empires team to Darren Lemming’s announcement.
  • Masculinity and Vulnerability: The contrast between the public image of the athlete and the private, exposed self in the locker room.
  • Race in America: Darren Lemming is a biracial star, adding a layer of complexity to his isolation and celebrity.
  • The Empires: The fictional Major League Baseball team name, a stand-in for the monolithic institution of professional sports.
  • Mason Marzac's Monologues: The financial advisor's poetic, often hilarious monologues about the beauty and philosophy of baseball.
  • The Pulitzer Prize: The original 2003 production was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
  • Second Stage Theater: The renowned non-profit theater company responsible for producing the acclaimed revival.
  • Drama Desk Awards: The production also garnered wins and nominations from other major bodies, including the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle.
  • Jesse Williams's Performance: Widely praised for his subtle portrayal of the isolated, god-like figure of Darren Lemming.
  • Tragedy and Isolation: The plot’s darker turn involving the character of Shane Mungitt and the ultimate consequences of bigotry.

The revival’s success, which included a return engagement at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, proved that Richard Greenberg’s work remains a powerful mirror reflecting America’s complicated relationship with its heroes, its institutions, and its deeply ingrained prejudices. For theater enthusiasts and those interested in the evolving landscape of sports and identity, Take Me Out stands as a vital, must-know piece of modern drama.

7 Shocking Secrets Behind the Tony-Winning 'Take Me Out' Broadway Revival (And Why It Still Matters)
take me out broadway
take me out broadway

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