Day One - MART Recommends: FENCES

Denzel is “swinging from the heels,” a performance that is sure to make this run a “dinger.”

Fences

At the Cort Theatre
138 W 48th St (between Sixth and Seventh Aves)
Midtown West Map Directions

212-239-6200
http://www.fencesonbroadway.com

Prices
Tickets: $61.50–$126.50, premium $191.50–$251.50

Description
Denzel Washington headlines the first Broadway revival of August Wilson’s drama about an ex-ballplayer trying to maintain his dignity in pre–civil-rights Pittsburgh. Kenny Leon (Radio Golf) directs this production of Wilson’s beloved 1985 work also featuring Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Chris Chalk. When

Sundays 3pm , Tuesdays 7pm , Wednesdays 2pm, 8pm , Thursdays 8pm , Fridays 8pm , Saturdays 2pm, 8pm Through Jul 11.

Ok. Admittedly, this recommendation is a little obvious, as it is a play specifically about baseball and a man's missed chance at the Majors. Apologies dear reader, it is day one after a long weekend; during which we are convinced the sun stole our energy to singe the streets of Brooklyn. With pinked cheeks and a lazy constitution, day one brings you our favorites in Baseball drama, comedies, dramadies, etc.

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Best Baseball Documentary

Baseball by Ken Burns --1994

This documentary is an obvious labor of love. By using old-time photographs, illustrations to more recent newsreels and video clips, the Players, broadcasters, fans, and he all contribute to show the different perspectives of the game. A historically accurate love song that walks the game through it's development into modernity. A must-see for anyone that has ever been a fan of the game.

Some feature-length baseball films of mention:

The Sandlot (1993) -- Starring James Earl Jones

The Bad News Bears (1976) -- Starring Walter Matthau

Angels In The Outfield (1994) -- Starring Danny Glover, Christopher Lloyd

The Rookie (2002) -- Starring Dennis Quaid In the true story of how Jim Morris made it to the

major leagues.

For Love of The Game (1999) -- Starring Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston

The Babe (1992) -- Starring John Goodman and Kelly McGillis

Major League (1989) -- Starring Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Tom Berenger, and Rene Russo

Bang The Drum Slowly (1973) -- Starring Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro

This was a remake of an earlier version of a movie by the same title. It follows a New York Pro baseball team, and two of its players as they go through a long season.

Angels In The Outfield (1951) -- Starring Aloysius McGovern and Jennifer Paige

We have all seen the Disney version of this movie, but back in 1951, the story was done to perfection. Janet Leigh stars as the reporter.

Bull Durham (1988) -- Starring Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon

A minor league pitcher is coming up through the leagues, and needs someone to guide him through the tough times of being a paid ball-player.

Eight Men Out (1988) -- Starring John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, and D.B. Sweeney

The dark underbelly of baseball show through a drama about The Chicago White Sox 1919 post season.

A League of Their Own (1992) -- Starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, and Madonna

Pride of the Yankees (1942) -- Starring Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright

This movie is a Biopic that traces the life of Lou Gehrig, a famous New York Yankee baseball player who played in 2130 consecutive games before dieing at age 37 from a deadly nerve disease, which now bears his name.

Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976) -- Starring Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, and Richard Pryor

Field of Dreams (1989) -- Starring James Earl Jones, Kevin Costner, and Ray Liotta

The Natural (1984) -- Starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close, and Robert Duvall

Robert Redford plays Roy Hobbs, a player with no past, who suddenly appears and starts hitting home-runs for the New York Knights.