(Cover Photo: The CAST of  "TONI STONE" written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, now playing at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

"This is what I need. What I good at. What I do better than anybody. What I know better than anybody. Better maybe than this girl know boys.”  

                                                    - ("Toni Stone") / Lydia R. Diamond

Huntington Theatre Company

Presents Lydia R. Diamond's

"TONI STONE"

Written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond 

Inspired by Curveball: The Remarkable True Story of Toni Stone by Martha Ackmann

Choreographer Ebony Williams 

Cast Includes: Ryan Vincent Anderson as “King Tut,”  Bobby Cius as “Jimmy,”  Anthony T. Goss as “Elzie,” Stanley Andrew Jackson as “Millie,”  Jonathan Kitt as “Alberga,” Al’Jaleel McGhee as “Woody,” Jennifer Mogbock as “Toni Stone,”  Omar Robinson as “Stretch,” Blake Anthony Morris as “Spec,” Olutayo Bosede as “Ensemble/Dance Captain.” Understudies: Dominic Carter, Todd McNeel, James Ricardo Milord, Hassiem Muhammad, and Eunice Woods.

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic Design - Collette Pollard; Costume Design - Mara Blumenfeld; Lighting Design - Brian J. Lilienthal; Sound Design - Aubrey Dube; Hair, Wig, and Makeup Design - Earon D. Nealey; Dramaturg - Charles Haugland; Vocal and Dialect Coach - Kim James Bey; Fight Director and Intimacy Consultant - Ted Hewlett; Associate Director - Devin Christor; Production Stage Manager - Emily F. McMullen; Stage Managers: Lucas Bryce Dixon and Pat-rice Rooney.

The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA.

Performances: 

May 17, 2024 through June 16, 2024

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)  

Tickets:

Available online at huntingtontheatre.org, by phone at 617-266-0800 or in person at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston.

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

Huntington Theatre Company presents some fabulous fairway fare with "TONI STONE" now playing in Boston.

I'm going to try to intentionally avoid as many baseball metaphors as possible in this review...which will be tough as this show really is a "home run" (See? I went and did it already).

(Note: The following is a review of the May 29th performance where actress Eunice Woods, understudy for Jennifer Mogbock, played the title character of "TONI STONE")

"TONI STONE," insightfully written and expertly directed by Lydia R. Diamond, was inspired by the book "Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone" by Massachusetts journalist and author Martha Ackmann. 

Born Marcenia Lyle Stone, the real "TONI STONE" (1921-1996) was an African-American female professional baseball player who played in predominantly male leagues.

An avid baseball player since early childhood, STONE would also play for the San Francisco Sea Lions, New Orleans Creoles, Indianapolis Clowns, and Kansas City Monarchs before retiring from baseball in 1954.

Rumor has it that, during an exhibition game in 1953, STONE hit a single off a fastball pitch delivered by legendary player Satchel Paige. 

The above moment is a recurring element in the stage adaptation (almost to the point of overkill) although the actual claim itself has never been validated.

Doesn't matter, though, as it still makes for a great story, told within this larger great story.

(Photo: The CAST of  "TONI STONE" written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, now playing at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson)

From the moment one enters the Huntington Theatre space, as early jazz recordings by Louie Armstrong and others are heard, the sight of the set immediately recalls the earlier days of the "great American past time," the beloved sport of baseball. 

There are rustic looking bleachers and old, dingy billboard ads that extend high above the stage with flood lights reaching even higher still. 

The truly marvelous construct harkens back to a time when things weren't as "great" in America for some, especially those existing within an ostracized, segregated existence. 

Yet, these greats were still great whenever it comes to legends of baseball - and the team we get to see in "TONI STONE" should absolutely still be considered legends, even if we may not know all their names.

We feel we are sharing the field with these baseball legends, in particular, with the one and only remarkable "TONI STONE" (Eunice Woods).

Woods ("pinch hitting" for the show's star, Jennifer Mogbock) commanded most of the two-and-a-half hours on stage, breaking the fourth wall at times with great humor and ease, making it very easy to connect with her character...

...which IS odd given her character admits to having a tough time "connecting" with the actual people in her life.

In adapting Ackmann’s book, Diamond has crafted a visually engaging experience with the character of "TONI STONE," and the superb supporting cast executes all staging (with dazzling choreographed moments by Ebony Williams) with tremendous versatility.

(Photo: Stanley Andrew Jackson as "Millie" with Jennifer Mogbock as "TONI STONE," written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, now playing at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson)

Recalling her own life experiences, TONI is an ace ballplayer obsessed with baseball statistics, has a great arm, and is the only woman playing on a men's team. Ultimately, she would help open the door so that other women could also play.

She almost comes across as having a "spectrum-level/OCD" obsession with stats and is an extremely "literal" person implying not very good with subtext. 

None of the above aspects to her personality would have had clinical diagnoses at the time but these do seem to factor into her story as it unfolds.

Also used is the word "tomboy" which seems quite fitting for TONI STONE, at least as the Diamond character is presented here.

Rejected by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League because of her race, TONI becomes the first woman to play professional baseball on a man’s team in the "Negro Leagues," shattering expectations and creating her own set of rules. 

This is all pretty much made apparent within the first ten minutes of the play and, in less capable hands, the remaining time might seem redundant and/or unsurprising. 

However, with this uplifting production, the collective performances are splendid and the storytelling is compelling from start to finish.

"TONI STONE" is not only about shattering expectations or glass ceilings - it is a story about family, as TONI deeply cares about her team-mates - men she sees and cares for more like brothers from different mothers than merely fellow ballplayers.

(Photo: Jonathan Kitt as “Alberga” shares a laugh with Jennifer Mogbock as "TONI STONE," written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, now playing at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson)

There is a solid camaraderie that is evident from the moment the supporting cast enters onto the stage and we are introduced to each of the members of TONI's team, the "Clowns."

Jimmy (Bobby Cius) is the team’s newest member who, lie TONI, has his own struggles, but counters this by giving his best effort for the good of the team. 

Conversely, there is King Tut (Ryan Vincent Anderson), who is seen as the "celebrity" of the Clowns but who is hoping to get his big chance to join the major leagues. 

Stretch (Blake Anthony Morris) is the team’s organized and methodical catcher, manager, and coach. 

Elzie (Anthony T. Goss) is a ballplayer whose bravado seemingly masques his closeted sexuality. TONI seems to recognize this (which seems a little out of character given her propensity at not being able to recognize certain matters of "subtext").

Woody (Al’Jaleel McGhee) is a lothario and left-handed pitcher who occasionally fails to rise to the occasion. 

Spec (at the May 29th performance played by understudy Dominic Carter) is the smartest member of the team, many times seen with his nose buried in a book.

The above ensemble effortlessly weaves in and out of playing multiple characters, crossing cultural and sexual boundaries at a moment's notice and never faltering.

(Photo: Bobby Cius as "Jimmy" listens to Jennifer Mogbock as "TONI STONE," written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, now playing at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson)

Also, throughout her adventures, TONI recalls meeting tender-hearted prostitute Millie (Stanley Andrew Jackson) who almost instantly becomes like TONI's unofficial "sister." 

Jackson is completely convincing serving as TONI's confidant, hairdresser, spiritual guide, fashion consultant and dearest friend.

While there are allusions made to some sexual ambiguity, TONI the "tomboy" is portrayed as heterosexual, trying to make an unconventional relationship work with Alberga (Jonathan Kitt) a cultured Jamaican businessman who is both enamored with and fascinated by TONI.

Kitt gives a marvelously measured performance, showcasing the patience Alberga seemed to require in order to make any relationship with TONI work.

In addition to their actual interactions with her, both Millie and Alberga take on the inner thoughts of TONI with the rest of the team acting as a Greek Chorus at times.

(Photo: Jennifer Mogbock and the CAST of  "TONI STONE" written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, now playing at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson)

The cast adeptly manages all scene changes to keep the pacing fluid. The staging is cleverly orchestrated and seamless. 

There were a few minor stumbles in the dialogue and the choreography was not always cleanly executed during the May 29th performance - but this did not detract from the overall presentation.

Critically timed lighting and sound cues were executed flawlessly, especially when it came to much of the actual "baseball" being played on stage.

Most of all, this show is a fun time spent out at the ballpark....even if it is a make believe ballpark.

"TONI STONE" continues at the Huntington Theatre in Boston until June 16th, 2024 and this is one baseball story where if it went into extra innings, it would be so worth it. 

Up next the Huntington Theatre Company will be "LEOPOLDSTADT" by Tom Stoppard (produced in association with Shakespeare Theater Company) beginning September 12th, 2024.

For tickets or more information, contact huntingtontheatre.org or call # 617-266-0800.

Approximately two hours, 20 minutes with one intermission.  

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews 

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

"TONI STONE" is an ace ballplayer who knows her stats, plus she’s got a great arm. Rejected by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League because of her race, she becomes the first woman to play professional baseball on a man’s team in the Negro Leagues, shattering expectations and creating her own set of rules. Filled with humor and the love of the game, Huntington favorite Lydia R. Diamond knocks it out of the park with this beautiful, rich portrait of a trailblazing woman. Play ball! 

From Artistic Director Loretta Greco:  “I love this play almost as much as I love baseball. The return of beloved playwright Lydia R. Diamond to The Huntington is cause alone for celebration – but combine it with her latest based on the real life story of the indomitable TONI STONE, the first woman to play professional baseball in the male baseball league – during actual baseball season, and in America’s most baseball-loving city – and the result is pure joy!” 

From playwright and director Lydia R. Diamond: “I am so pleased to be back at The Huntington! 'TONI STONE' is a play that is especially close to my heart. A woman with a singular focus who, through hard work and tenacity, realized her dreams. This fabulous theatre has once again helped me realize mine… To direct a play that I am so proud of, in the warm embrace of a theatre that feels like home, and in a town that loves baseball as much as our fearless Toni did!” 

Critical acclaim: “Entertaining! 'TONI STONE' bursts with the joys of life.” – Chicago Tribune 

“A grand slam! Inspiring and powerful!” – Broadway World

“The whole play is remarkable. The sheer joy that comes with breaking the status quo, of loving yourself, your life and what you bring to the table. Toni Stone captured all that.” – Forbes

ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY

THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY is Boston’s leading professional theatre and one of the region’s premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, THE HUNTINGTON brings together superb local and national talent and produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions. THE HUNTINGTON runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. THE HUNTINGTON has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis with plans to convert the Huntington Avenue Theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. THE HUNTINGTON cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form. 

 huntingtontheatre.org