Stageworks Theater Presents Karla Hartley's RADIO BALL Reading 5/12

Stageworks Theatre proudly presents the second Longjohns Florida Playwright winner staged reading of the 2009 season, "Radio Ball", written by Lauren Kettler and directed by Karla Hartley.

"Radio Ball" tells the story of a college baseball pitcher on the cusp of professional success. An offer to join the major leagues conjures up a voice from his adolescent past, a Japanese-American girl who also yearned to be a professional baseball player.

Their friendship, as it's recounted, is interwoven with the unlikely facing-off of two baseball greats: Brooklyn Dodger Sandy Koufax and Tokyo Giant Sadaharu Oh, with flashes of East-meets-West, and the precariousness of boy-meets-remarkable-girl. In addition, there's a fitful college teammate, a feckless dorm suitemate and a box of Mallomar cookies that further define his world. "Radio Ball" is a term used to describe a pitch so fast you can't see it, but you can hear it. And while the young pitcher can no longer see his old friend, he can still hear her voice and finally accept the inspiration behind it.

"Radio Ball" is presented in this staged reading as this season's second 2009 winner of Stageworks Theatre's respected "Longjohns" project to recognize emerging Florida paywrights.

The Longjohns Project, begun in 1987, has produced more than 50 staged readings and represents one of Stageworks Theatre's major goals -- to develop Florida playwrights. Five of the previously read plays have gone on to be produced either with StageworksTheatre or elsewhere. More than twenty percent of the featured playwrights have received either fellowship, awards, and/or productions

This season marks 25 years of service to the Tampa Bay Community by Stageworks Theatre, the region's highly-revered and widely-recognized theatre company. Stageworks Theatre has delighted theater-goers and critics alike with its productions of such acclaimed works as "Angels in America," "Waiting for Godot," "Talking With," and "The Laramie Project." Of equal importance to Stageworks Theatre is their renowned outreach to public schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties as well as to area seniors. The multi-cultural "Rainbow Tribe" makes presentations to at-risk young people, addressing Anger Management, AIDS, racial identity, and a wide range of other crucial issues.

The staged reading will be presented on Tuesday May 12, at 7PM at the"
Shimberg Theatre
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place
Tampa, FL 33602
Tickets: $5.00 at the door

For further information please call Stageworks Theatre: 813-521-8984