John Pyper-Ferguson's one-man baseball "dreamscape," Walter Wannamaker, Day at the Plate vs. The Downtown Demons, Monster on the Mound, will have its world premiere Oct. 6 at The Ruby Theatre at the Complex. The run is through Nov. 19.
A family show, Walter Wannamaker pits a batter against his arch nemesis, the Downtown Demon's pitcher. A tense one-on-one prevails, but it's not just a battle of rivals. Pyper-Ferguson (who plays both parts) gives the audience the chance to listen to the hearts and minds of two baseball warriors as they dare to dream.
"I am fascinated with these two positions which truly define baseball from any other sport," said Pyper-Ferguson. "Here, the pitcher, the defending player, holds the ball."
Pyper-Ferguson is an actor who has appeared in such films as "Unforgiven," "Pearl Harbor" and "For Richer or Poorer." He has also worked extensively on television and in theatre.
Walter Wannmaker was workshopped at New York Stage and Film. The L.A. mounting is produced by Janet McCormack.The Ruby Theatre is located at 6476 Santa Monica Blvd. For tickets and information call (310) 726-4494.
-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent