'Rounding Third' sure to be a hit with parents
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Parents who have had or will soon have children in Little League baseball are sure to appreciate "Rounding Third," the next Theatre Workshop play, which opens March 13.

Chris Witte plays Michael, an assistant Little League coach in "Rounding Third" opening March 13.

Written by Richard Dresser, directed by Laura Gallagher Byrne and starring Chris Witte and Chuck Gifford, the story revolves around Gifford's character, Don, a highly competitive coach who believes in winning at all costs and whose son is a star player on the team. Tempering Don's aggressive attitude is Witte's character, Michael, a volunteer assistant coach, who instead fosters the importance of team spirit and camaraderie in the children and whose son is a rookie Don finds a threat to victory. As expected, there are psychological tussles that may or may not lead to a meeting of the minds.

Although Witte is a recognized, respected veteran

of the Nantucket stage, Gifford has been away from the theater for many years. Byrne commends them both for pulling off a 75-page script that takes an hour-and-a-half from start to finish. In her opinion, Gifford is doing a "wonderful" job and performs as if there has been no break in his acting experience.

"It's a real [testament] to their abilities because you never see the children, but they make you feel like they are there," said Byrne. "They speak directly to the audience and you really feel you are on the field or in the gym when they're practicing. It's a very interesting play. It's very entertaining, it's a lot of fun and it's fast-paced. There aren't a lot of plays like this where the parts really are guys' guys. There is a really nice feeling about it."

"Rounding Third" opens at 7 p.m. in the second floor performance space of the Methodist Church on March 13 and runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through March 29.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens and may be purchased at the

door or through www.theatreworkshop.com. I