Like the Capital Steps roast the shenanigans of Congress and the President, an off-Broadway musical in New York highlights the mischief perpetrated by national sports personalities. Critics say "Chuckleball: Jailhouse Jocks" hits it out of the park.
Gotham Baseball's Mark Healy breaks the production down:
Every scout dreams of the "five-tool" player. Every once in a while, a rare specimen that can run, throw, hit for power, hit for average and plays great defense makes his debut on some local ball field and becomes a star. On Broadway, the critic looks for the same kind of rare package in a new show...
He finds all the tools in Chuckleball:
A show that will delight sports fans and theater regulars alike, Chuckleball is an amazing combination of sharp wit, cabaret intimacy, laugh-out-loud comedy, and first-rate improv...In the style of the long-running parodies Forbidden Broadway and The Capitol Steps, Chuckleball takes its shots at Michael Vick, Jason Giambi, Tom Glavine and Isiah Thomas
A Bonds character croons a tune to the melody of Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
The Bonds number is uncanny, and his accompanying tune (I Never Get Booed in San Francisco) sung to the tune of the Tony Bennett standard is both hilarious, ironic and downright spot on as editorial commentary:
I don’t get booed in San Francisco,
It’s such a thrill, they cheer for me
To be where doctors let you slide,
For dinero on the side
The morning news will clear the air, I look square
I love the fans in San Francisco,
They have a clue, yet they don’t see
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
My golden pee will shine drug free
There ya go, BALCO in a verse.
Chuckleball plays at the Snapple Theater Center, 210 West 50th Street (at Broadway) on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 7 PM. Calling (212) 921-7862 for tickets. For more information visit chuckleball.com.
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