Recently for a family movie night, we enjoyed watching 42. Seeing Jackie Robinson’s life be played out on screen helped all of us to begin to grasp the real struggles that this man had throughout his storied baseball career.
My son also happens to be a big fan of the children’s author, Dan Gutman. (In fact just today he was asking when his latest book was going to be ready to check out.) The play, Jackie & Me, based on Gutman’s book opens at the Rose Theater tomorrow night in Omaha. When you combine Jackie Robinson and Gutman’s writing, a hit out of the ballpark is bound to happen.
Here is the official description of the play from the Rose …
The Rose is very excited about our upcoming production of “Jackie & Me,” which runs Feb. 28 through Mar. 16. The show is based on the popular book by Dan Gutman, and while it is a story written for children, it deals with very grown-up topics. The play tells the story of Joey Stoshack, a baseball-obsessed boy who receives a school assignment to write a research paper for Black History Month. Joey possesses a special talent — he can travel back in time just by holding a vintage baseball card. Joey decides to go back to 1947 and meet the great Jackie Robinson, the first African-American player in the major leagues. In the process, he learns first-hand the struggles the ballplayer encountered as he broke baseball’s color barrier and leaves with his view of history and definition of courage forever changed
This is evidently a dialogue driven show. Due to this and the fact that the play tackles some challenging issues, the show is recommended for kids age 6 and up. Interested in attending? Here are a few more things you need to know.
Show Specifics: Historical Drama • Best for families with children ages 6 to 13. The play lasts 75 minutes with no intermission. Shows will be taking place the next three week-ends!
Tickets: $18 general admission, but discount ticket vouchers are available at all area Hy-Vee stores for $14 each. Reservations are required.
Call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online at www.rosetheater.org.
All pictures and facts about the show were provided to me by the Rose Theater. Unfortunately due to timing, younger children and one child recovering from bronchitis (who would have been a bit disruptive with his cough), we did not get to attend the preview performance today. But I was told by someone who did that the acting is superb, and the message is a meaningful one for elementary students. Play ball!
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