The Thurmont Thespians kick off their 2006 season with a sporty comedy by Richard Dresser about an "odd couple" of Little League baseball coaches for two weekends at the American Legion auditorium, Park Lane in Thurmont.

"Coach Don", played by David Elvove, is the holder of many past Little League championship trophies and has just one rule - "winning is fun - losing stinks!" But his new Assistant Coach Michael, portrayed by Bill Collins, has never even played baseball before and just wants the team to "enjoy themselves"!

The production opens Friday, January 27 at 8:00 p.m. and runs for two weekends through February 5, including two Sunday matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. Parking is free and there is handicapped elevator service access through the back entrance of the Legion.

"Rounding Third" was produced regionally with great acclaim at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in Shepherdstown, WV during the summer of 2004. It will also open the Caledonia Theatre Company’s 2006 summer stock season next June at the Totem Pole Playhouse in nearby Pennsylvania, but you will be able see it in Thurmont first!

According to Director Spence Watson, "we especially chose this play to honor the coaches and players of the 2005 Maryland Little League Championship team from Thurmont and to honor all Little League participants in the surrounding communities!" As a special feature, the Thespians will be offering very substantial discounts in admission to any current or former Little League baseball team member or coach if they wear their team uniforms to the show!

"Rounding Third" takes its audience on a tumultuous journey of these two Little League coaches through an entire season, from their first tentative meeting to the climactic championship game. The audience becomes the stand-in for the team, so the coaches speak directly to them about competition, character, punctuality, and the importance of wearing the right equipment.

"Coach Michael" believes that the job of the coaches is to shield the kids from the intense pressure of competition while making sure everyone has a good time. "Coach Don", whose son is the team’s star pitcher, thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win. Out of these conflicting philosophies, the real issues of the play emerge: how should we raise our children? Since we live in such a ferociously competitive society, do we protect our children as long as possible? Or do we prepare them to be tough enough to win?

By the end of the play, "Coach Don’s" personal life has come crashing down around him and he’s forced to see both his own son and the team in a different light. And, "Coach Michael" must confront an unfamiliar but powerful sensation: down deep, he too really does want to win!

According to Thespians Artistic Director Beth Royer Watson, "Rounding Third is an important lesson for coaches and parents with children participating in any competitive youth activity. Dresser is making the point that over-emphasis on winning has become the norm in today’s world."

There will be dessert theatre for both opening Fridays, January 27 and February 3 for $12 ($6 for all Little League coaches and players wearing their current or former uniforms). The Saturday evening shows on January 28 and the two Sunday matinees January 29 and February 5 are only $10 ($5 for Little Leaguers with uniforms). There will be a ham and fried chicken dinner theatre performance on Saturday, February 4 for $25 ($20 for Little Leaguers with uniforms). Advance reservations for the dinner theatre and all performances can be made by calling 301-271-7613 or emailing to reservations@thurmontthespians.org.

This production of "Rounding Third" is underwritten in part by an "Arts In Communities" Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and a Community Arts Development Grant from the Frederick Arts Council. New lighting equipment for this production has been purchased through a grant from the Community Foundation of Frederick County, Inc.