From Buzz's press conference, he mentioned he wanted to go see the "McGuire" play when it returns in May of this year.
Didn't know it was scheduled again this year at MU.
Looks like it's also going on in April out in Hollywood.
http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2009/02/mcguire-play.html
For those who haven't seen it .. it's a real gem.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bill_trocchi/03/29/mcguire.enberg/
To Chico (or any SoCal MUer):
How safe is North Hollywood - where El Portal is at?
I don't envision this coming up my way (NorCal), so I'm considering heading down.
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on February 14, 2009, 12:19:41 PM
To Chico (or any SoCal MUer):
How safe is North Hollywood - where El Portal is at?
I don't envision this coming up my way (NorCal), so I'm considering heading down.
That part is totally fine. This summer I both lived and worked within about a half mile of there and drove past El Portal every day. Never went inside though so I can't tell you about the venue.
"it's a real gem"
absolutely. worth any effort to get to see it. I will go again when it returns.
North Hollywood is a good spot.... spent the first 18 years of my life there before heading out to MU in 2002. never been to this venue, but it sounds like it's in the NoHo Arts District. If you come down, go somewhere in Studio City for dinner beforehand (Mexicali is a spot I'd recommend) and it's just a 10 minute drive or so from there.
So jealous. Really want to see this play and I'm in MKE now, so I guess I'll just have to wait for it to make its way back here.
Perhaps we can get Dick Enberg and the guy who plays Al (sorry. forgot his name) to make a DVD. The we can all see it.
You know, that's a good point. It's a very simple production, one man, no scene changes. Right around 60 minutes long. Easily filmable.
Anyone know when it will be in Milwaukee? What dates? And where? I know Buzz said May.... thanks
Just got on the board. I graduated from the theatre department last year. Yes, Cotter Smith is coming back to portray Al. Really a good actor and a good guy. The show is in May, and I can probably follow up with more details since I'm doing some work there now. However, I will say that I was under the assumption that this was not McGuire, but another show using the wisdom of Al. I'll check into it.
Thanks Zmovieman - lok forward to more info!
Alright. I'm back with some updates on McGuire. Here's what the official release says:
Don't Undress Until You Die: The Wit and Wisdom of Al McGuire
A One Man Play By Dick Enberg
Starring Cotter Smith
May 15 & 16, 2009
7:30 PM
Evan P. and Marion Helfaer Theatre
525 N. 13th Street
Marquette University
Tickets on Sale March 1, 2009
Call for more info at (414) 288-7504
It seems from talking to the people at the theatre that this is in fact the same show as before, just renamed. Regardless, it's definitely worth seeing (even if you've seen it already). I've met Smith before and he's a wonderful person and actor. If you are in town, definitely swing on by!
Any info on ticket prices?
No word on pricing. But it's probably comparable to last time, for what it's worth.
Unfortunately, that does not help me. I am not from the Milwaukee area, but am considering planning to travel back to campus to see this. So can you or anyone else tell me how much tickets were last time? Thank you.
pbs in milwaukee is working on a program on al...
will find out if it is based on the play
Tickets are $30 each. Twice as much as student productions there, but on par with most of the professional theatre in the area (so not a bad deal at all). Only two performances, so plan ahead. I'm trying to find out if they are reserved seating or general admission though. Hope that helps Coach Dale!
Thank you for the info. I will be calling on March 1st!!!
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on February 14, 2009, 12:19:41 PM
To Chico (or any SoCal MUer):
How safe is North Hollywood - where El Portal is at?
I don't envision this coming up my way (NorCal), so I'm considering heading down.
You'll be fine. I just bought two tickets for the show.
I'm hearing this is in Chicago?
I'm going to see it Thursday in Chicago at the Greenhouse Theater Center 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. There's also a post-show question and answer session with Enberg and the actor for an extra $25. I'll report back on it after I see the show. Looking forward to it.
I'm going up to Chicago Thursday night (from Indy) to see the show. I bought tickets, but how do I get tickets to the post-show q&a? Do you have to buy those at the theatre? Thanks for your help.
Quote from: maura12 on May 12, 2009, 11:02:17 AM
I'm going up to Chicago Thursday night (from Indy) to see the show. I bought tickets, but how do I get tickets to the post-show q&a? Do you have to buy those at the theatre? Thanks for your help.
This should help:
http://www.alumni.marquette.edu/cgi-any/activities.dll/show?bid=46&id=1000&template=event_register.htm
I'm attending by myself tomorrow - where are you all sitting that bought through the alumni association? I just saw the post on that, e-mailed to see if can attend the reception. I'll be in Row E, center, if you're nearby let me know!
Just got back from tonight's performance. I didn't know there was a reception tomorrow or I might have reconsidered which day to attend...
Anyway, it was spectacular. Absolutely wonderful experience. Funny, informative, heartwarming, etc. Couldn't have been better. Everyone on this board in the Milwaukee/Chicago area should make every effort to see it one of the next 3 days.
For people older than 30-35, I'm sure it brought back great memories. For us under that age who didn't get to know him as well, it was like a chance to meet Al and get to know him. The lead actor talked about Al's life and the "philosophy" he lived by, told stories from both the coaching and the commenting days (and from his personal life too), and gave us an idea of what Al was really like.
Dick Enberg and Cotter spoke for like 20 minutes after and I have to say that Dick telling Al stories was the best part. Dick told this story that Al had told him:
Al and Billy Packer (and Dick, but he didn't participate in this) were doing a game in New York and they were both cheap. So they told NBC to give them the money they would have spent on a hotel room for them and they would get their own hotel. So they get a room at this crummy hotel on the west side. Al, Billy, and Al's son Rob (I think) are staying in this tiny room with 2 twin beds. Rob goes out for the night, but the other two stay in. They realize that Rob doesn't have a hotel room key, so they leave the door cracked from him. Al used to like sleeping on cold tile floors, so it turns out that Al's sprawled out in his underwear, lying on the tile bathroom floor, and Billy Packer is sleeping in his underwear on one of the twin beds. The door swings wide open during the night and when a security guard walks by on his rounds he looks in and sees what has to look like a double homicide. He yells into the room "what's going on in there" and Al sits straight up and says "We're waiting for Robby" and lays back down.
I'm sure it's not as funny typed out as it was when Dick Enberg told it, but he had the whole theater laughing.
So everyone, get out Thursday in Chicago or Friday or Saturday in Milwaukee. It's totally worth it.
I saw the show last night--outstanding. Lauged a lot and the slightly more than an hour show went by in a blink. Cotter Smith and Enberg were great telling stories after the show too. Bo Ellis and Joey Meyer were also there.
Meyer told the story of a someone ringing his doorbell at 8:30 one Christmas morning. His wife went down to get the door, and came back up and told Joey that Al McGuire was at the door. Joey responded that he would've gone down if it was John Wooden. Anyway, he went down and Al tells him he was staying in the neighborhood with a friend, and knew Joey lived in the neighborhood so he kept asking people until someone knew where Joey lived. Just wanted to say hi, stayed briefly and left.
Dick Enberg is very far from the washed up old announcer I thought he'd become. He was great, and it was surreal talking to him and hearing that so familiar voice.
Truly a great night.
I just saw it and for one, it was amazing.
Secondly, they had an HD film crew there so you might get your DVD wishes granted.
I asked Dick Enberg about that after the show Thursday, during the reception, and his answer was something along the lines of, he's been asked that before, and they've been afraid that if it were available on DVD people might not come to see it live. He acknowledged that the counter to that is that people might be more excited about seeing it live, but it really sounded like it wasn't in the cards. I will be interested to see if they changed their mind.
Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on May 14, 2009, 10:42:23 AM
I am driving 10 hours round trip to see the play on Saturday at Marquette. My wife thinks I am craaaaaaazy. I cannot explain it to her -- just said it is something I have to do. I am also bringing my teenage son b/c it kills me that he knows virtually nothing about Al. That is not acceptable to me. :)
This was TOTALLY worth it. I hated to see it end. As for my son, he learned about Al and is now cursed to having to hear me say to him "If you're doing it right, you're doing it good." for the rest of his life!
Butch Lee was there. In the play he is referred to as "the finest person" Al ever knew [or words to that effect]. Under those circumstances -- if I was Butch Lee -- I would NEVER miss a performance of this play, regardless of where it is presented.
Finally, I heard the issue of the recording that evening to be for a possible future documentary, not necessarily to make the play available to those who are unable to attend a live show.
On Thursday night in Chicago, Bo Ellis was referred to as the "finest person Al ever knew" - and he was there as well! Literary license depending on which former player is present?
Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on May 19, 2009, 08:48:57 AM
This was TOTALLY worth it. I hated to see it end. As for my son, he learned about Al and is now cursed to having to hear me say to him "If you're doing it right, you're doing it good." for the rest of his life!
Butch Lee was there. In the play he is referred to as "the finest person" Al ever knew [or words to that effect]. Under those circumstances -- if I was Butch Lee -- I would NEVER miss a performance of this play, regardless of where it is presented.
Finally, I heard the issue of the recording that evening to be for a possible future documentary, not necessarily to make the play available to those who are unable to attend a live show.
I was also there Saturday and share your feelings. Dick Enberg taking questions and adding a few McGuire anecdotes afterwards put a terrific finishing touch on the evening. My wife and I brought friends (from Purdue and Northwestern) and they were totally blown away!
One small correction. Bo Ellis was the player Al called "top shelf" and one of the finest individuals he ever met. He was indeed in the house and said it was the 4th time he had seen the play.
An interesting side note is that Enberg asked people to share their McGuire recollections as he updates the play frequently.
Quote from: Warriors4ever on May 19, 2009, 09:27:03 AM
On Thursday night in Chicago, Bo Ellis was referred to as the "finest person Al ever knew" - and he was there as well! Literary license depending on which former player is present?
I do not think so. Bo was sitting in the back row ("stage right" side), and I do not think Cotter Smith knew he was there until the post-play wrap up when the house lights came up.
Maybe Bo is doing what I suggested I would do, attending every performance to hear (and re-hear) the words of such high praise from his former coach.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on May 19, 2009, 09:28:09 AM
My wife and I brought friends (from Purdue ...)
That explains the constant whispering I heard -- you having to explain every little thing to the Purdue person! ;D
I couldn't remember the exact phrasing but it sounds like the same thought, and I think Enberg in the post-play comments certainly made it sound that way. I thought he was sitting around the 4th row on stage right - he certainly was sitting there when the play ended, as that's when I spotted him. Enberg said he has material for two more plays. The stories afterwards really put a cap on the evening.
I'm a proud grad of the theatre program at MU, and an avid hoops fan as well. I saw this show in it's original run at the Helfaer theatre and all I can say is KUDOS to Dick Enberg, Cotter Smith, and the MU theatre dept. for putting together such a special show.
Theatre (at it's best) is meant to touch people, make people feel, and make people think. I don't think anyone who sees this production will be disappointed in any of those aspects.
And talk about the perfect character..............GOD BLESS AL McGUIRE!