Pinstripe Pride in "Bronx Bombers"

Fact is that in 1977,  when manager, Billy Martin benched the  Yankees newly-acquired star hitter Rggie Jackson for lack of hustle in the middle of a game, there were fireworks in the press. It was an unprecedented move and it fueled the excitement that bad blood between friends and teammates gives reporters.

This is the story that Eric Simonson sets out to tell in "Bronx Bombers," at Primary Stages at the Duke on 42nd Street through October 19th only. It is an entertaining tale an sufficiently compelling, involving as it does conflict and possible resolution.

Francois Battiste as Reggie Jackson in the Primary Stages production of "Bronx Bombers" at The Duke on 42nd Street © 2013 James Leynse.

As "Bronx Bombers" opens, Yogi Berra, (Richard Topol) wants to fix the rift and quiet the ruckus. His devotion is to the team, and he calls in Reggie Jackson (Francois Batiste) and Billy Martin (Keith Nobbs) for an intervention. Thurman Munson (Bill Dawes) is an ineffective mediator at this pow wow.

Keith Nobbs as Billy Martin in the Primary Stages production of "Bronx Bombers" at The Duke on 42nd Street © 2013 James Leynse.

Somehow this amiable retelling of the 1977 incident derails, and the second act of "Bronx Bombers" loses its way. The turn it takes is into Yankee hagiography. Yogi suffers a nightmare in which the Yankee greats come to his house to help him sort out his problem. Lou Gehrig (John Wernke), the Babe (CJ Wilson), Mickey (Bill Dawes), Joe DiMaggio (Chris Henry Coffey), are joined by Elston Howard (Francois Battiste) and Derek Jeter (Christopher Jackson) at Carmen Berra's (Wendy Makkena) richly laid table.

Yogi's nightmare becomes ours as the "Yankee Immortals" dine and dish over teams past. Egos- aside is the definition of what makes a team, but was this ever really true of the New York Yankees.

In their best years, they had a ball club full of egos and outsize personalities. There is a sort of "Soviet" style to Simonson's play. "Bronx Bombers" makes for excellent Yankee propoganda, touting their exceptionalism.

Has Eric Simonson created a niche as a sports-theme playwright? His three recent outings, including this one, are in league with the Leagues: "Magic/Bird" was NBA co-produced; "Lombardi" had the support of the NFL. "Bronx Bombers" is produced in association with The New York Yankees and Major League Baseball.

The acting is universally fine, with Richard Topol's Yogi a stand out in the cast. David C. Woolard's well-researched, and superbly-executed, costume designs mean that this cast sports authentic style throughout.

Yankee fans will enjoy the second act of "Bronx Bombers" for the feeling of a visit with the team's biggest names. Others will find the nice conflict in the first act exceptionally enjoyable.

For more information about "Bronx Bombers," please visit  http://www.primarystages.org/bronxbombers.