“Lombardi:” Broadway dares to present an “American” play

Canada Free Press ^ | January 23, 2010 | David Pietrusza

[statestreet]

It is an unlikely piece of modern stagecraft. Contemporary drama strives to be not so much dramatic as to be shocking, not to present the truth but to wallow in clichéd, politically-correct truisms.

“Lombardi: A New American Play,” at New York’s Circle in the Square Theater, breaks the mold of permanently adolescent modernity to narrate a tale of mature sensibilities superficially disguised in a story that might conceivably lack any sensibilities whatsoever: a narrative of a long-dead middle-aged football coach in a nondescript Midwestern city a time zone removed from Broadway.

The play, however, is aided by the fact that it recounts the saga of not just any football coach but that of the obsessive Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, who famously advised that “Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.” He delivered five NFL championships for a formerly woebegone team to prove it.

[OddLane]

I definitely want to see this sometime in the near future.

I haven't heard a bad word about it since it's premiered.

[Koblenz]

I got Broadway tickets and dinner for my birthday. My wife and I were trying to figure out what to see.

I said I didn't want to see something with a gay theme. We settled on Lombardi, we'll see it in March. I think it's a safe bet that it won't have a gay theme (but with Broadway, you never know).

I'm not homophobic, really. I just don't want gay propaganda. Hopefully Lombardi will be decent entertainment. It helps I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a Packers fan...

[fieldmarshaldj]

If it does well, look forward to copycat plays... The Lombardi Cometh, Long Days Journey Into Lombardi, Sunday In The Park With Lombardi, Lombardiman...

[OddLane]

Ma Rainey's Black Lombardi, GlenLombardi, Glen Ross, The Bald Lombardi, Waiting For Lombardi, Who's Afraid of Vince Lombardi?, Brighton Beach Lombardis...

[fieldmarshaldj]

...Green Bay Story, The Sound of Lombardi, Uncle Vince, Lombardi On The Roof, Mourning Becomes Lombardi, The Importance of Being Vince, Lombardi Of The Opera, Driving Mr. Lombardi, Bring in Da Vince, Bring in Da Lombardi...

[OddLane]

Lombardi On The Roof.

That one sounds promising.

[Rummyfan]

I said I didn't want to see something with a gay theme.

That eliminates about 90% of Broadway fare!

[Incorrigible]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Other than the Disney plays with the kids I’ve generally ignored Broadway (and I walk thru Times Square nearly everyday).