BLEACHER BUMS
Now, 12 years after its initial run, Bleacher Bums has returned to the Organic, bigger and slicker than ever, fat with grants from major corporate sponsors, and directed by former cast member Joe Mantegna (who is credited with the original concept). The good news is that the play–updated to reflect the new lineup and the introduction of lights–has held up remarkably well; after all these years it is still charming, funny, and entertaining.
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In 1978 Walter Kerr of the New York Times dubbed this a play much improved by its cast. Certainly, this is still true today. Ron Dean, in his hideous green Hawaiian shirt and Bermudas, cuts quite a figure as the eternal ugly Chicagoan Zig. Deanna Dunagan brings so much sympathy and understanding to Rose that she adds another dimension to an otherwise flat character. On the other hand, Joan Schwenk has her hands full just trying to keep Melody King from being just one more insultingly stupid blond bimbo. Happily, she succeeds–most of the time.
