Toni Stone inspired talk to take place at Goodman Theatre
Audiences can dive deeper into the themes of Toni Stone-Lydia R. Diamond's new play about the first woman to play professional baseball, and overcome the racist and sexist challenges she faces on and off the field-in a special discussion with sports journalists of note Sarah Spain (ESPN), Cheryl Raye-Stout (WBEZ) and Shakeia Taylor (Chicago Tribune). Though sports participation among women and girls reaches an all-time high and women continue to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated sports, media coverage of women in sports doesn't reflect this. Moderated by television journalist Zoraida Sambolin, the panelists discuss the rise of women in professional sports and the barriers yet to be broken in locker rooms, clubhouses and press boxes. The panel discussion From the Sidelines: Women, Sports and Covering the Games We Love takes place on Sunday, February 18 at 4:30pm in the Alice Center at the Goodman Theatre; tickets are free, but reservations are required at GoodmanTheatre.org/Sidelines or by phone at 312-443-3800. Toni Stone by Lydia R. Diamond, directed by Ron OJ Parson, continues through February 26 in the 856-seat Albert Theatre.
"I am so excited for this panel of women who have blazed trails themselves, much like Toni Stone," said Walter of Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor, who oversees the Goodman's programming for youth, schools, life-long learners and civic partners. "Their collective knowledge I am sure will give insight not only to the play, but to the greater sports landscape."
In Toni Stone, it's the mid-twentieth century and, while Toni is an encyclopedia of baseball stats and has a great arm, she still can't play with the boys. Rejected by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League because of her race, Toni sets out to become the first woman to play professional ball in baseball's Negro Leagues. Tracey N. Bonner-herself a collegiate athlete-stars in the title role. The cast features Kai Ealy (King Tut), Joseph Aaron Johnson (Elzie), Chike Johnson (Alberga), Travis Knight (Stretch), Victor Musoni (Jimmy), Jon Hudson Odom (Millie), Edgar Miguel Sanchez (Spec) and Terence Sims (Woody). Understudies include Jabari Khaliq (Jimmy/Stretch), Krystel McNeil (Toni Stone), Matty Robinson (Spec/Elzie), Reginald Robinson (Woody/King Tut/Millie) and A.C. Smith (Alberga).