Syracuse Stage is set to conclude its 2024-25 season with the world premiere of “The National Pastime,” a psychological thriller by Rogelio Martinez. The production will run from June 11 to June 29 at the Archbold Theatre, located in Syracuse.
Artistic Director Robert Hupp emphasized the importance of new work for the theater’s mission. “Creating new work is both a vital and essential aspect of our mission,” he stated. “We’re delighted that Central New York audiences will be the first to experience Rogelio Martinez’ thrilling new drama.”
The play intertwines stories involving state secrets, sonic weaponry, and baseball, set against the backdrop of Cold War tensions. The plot follows Josemaria, questioned by the CIA as he travels from Cuba to see his son Yuri, an MLB player; Val, an American experiencing mysterious symptoms in Havana; and developments in Houston related to baseball codes.
Originally commissioned by Syracuse Stage in 2021, “The National Pastime” was first presented as a reading at the 2022 Cold Read Festival of New Plays. This year’s Julie Lutz New Play Festival will feature events surrounding its world premiere.
Melissa Crespo and Kyle Bass will join playwright Rogelio Martinez for a talkback on June 12 after the evening performance. The cast includes Erick González and Joe Cassidy among others, with design contributions from Andromache Chalfant, Andrea Lauer, Christopher Brown, Cody Spencer, and Stephen Stivo Arnoczy.
Performances are scheduled at various times with tickets starting at $30. Special performances include Pay-What-You-Will dates from June 11-15 and open-captioned shows on June 18 and 29. An audio-described performance is planned for June 28.
Trivia Night hosted by Dillon Hupp will take place on June 12 before the evening show. Season sponsors include the Slutzker Family Foundation and Advance Media New York.
