Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots August 3rd Edition

By Hartley Miller

When I hear the word “team” I automatically think of a sports club. However, this expression encompasses a wide spectrum of areas including theatre.  Indeed, I have experienced similarities between these concepts of team, sports and theatre.

In one way, or another, I have been involved in the sports arena for practically all my life.

On the other hand, when performing on stage I am a “newbie”. Last year, I had a cameo appearance in Judy Russell’s “Hello Dolly” while this year, in Guys and Dolls, I have an increased role as Lieutenant Brannigan.

Everyone on set knows Judy is the boss, similar to a baseball manager, or a hockey coach/GM. She calls meetings, discusses upcoming strategy, and isn’t afraid to communicate feedback, either directly, or by facial expression. Specifically, she indicates what you are doing right, and wrong, talks about work ethic, and stresses focus and mental preparation.

Judy also attempts to fit appropriate personnel into suitable positions. For instance, a coach wouldn’t ask a 350 pound lineman to play defensive back or have a 7-foot-centre as the point guard. Coaches, doesn’t this sound familiar?

Dr. Susan Kelly, President of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, says that “behind every successful leader – woman or man – there is a team of successful, recognized, rewarded, trained, competent and committed people working at every level.” Coach Judy, who is PG theatre’s “Judge Judy”, has built her local empire, in part, because of her ability to surround herself with highly qualified assistants. How is this any different from a top notch sports organization?

Of course, I know first hand, especially in the sports world, that it’s the “troops in the pits”, many of those out of the spotlight that will make, or break you. One thing I learned long ago is that the stars will not be able to shine without a support crew that is willing to work in the trenches. In other words, Peyton Manning needs blockers to avoid sacks, and Roberto Luongo can’t win, unless someone scores at the other end.

There are some three dozen performers, ranging in age from 10 to 75, that appear on stage (about half of which have a speaking part) in Guys and Dolls, and many more “behind the scenes” who are not looking for recognition. The backstage cast is a team within a team.

Then, there is the orchestra which completes a list of well over 50 people.  In addition, Judy not only has family support, but family involvement from husband Bill, mom and dad (Bunny and Alex Murray) and her children.

In order to build a successful team a coach also needs big time players. In Guys and Dolls these roles belong to Sandra Clermont (Miss Adelaide), Gil Botelho (Nathan Detroit-he’s the guy that is my pain in the butt in the show), Ashley Siddals (Sarah Brown) and Andrew Halladay (Sky Masterson). As the
four home run hitters, or touchdown makers, they earned the well-deserved headlines.

Having coached sports for many years, I believe that you are only as strong as your weakest link. Certainly, the key to success is to ensure team members feel valued, regardless of how menial their job may seem.

If you attend the show, which concludes Saturday night at the Playhouse, you can draw your own conclusions as to whether this team is good enough to challenge for the Stanley Cup of local theatre. Regardless which cast members grab the spotlight, each member of this crew, should feel they have played a part in the success, or failure of the production because (to quote a famous cliché), there is no “I” in team.

From the quote rack:

“Chile con carnage." Headline in the Toronto Globe and Mail, after Chilean soccer players brawled with police following their semi-final loss to Argentina in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“Royals outfielder Emil Brown inadvertently shot reporter Karen Kornacki with a pellet gun, shattering her contact and scratching her eye. Emil did, however, prove that he is a contact hitter."Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“If they get rid of him will his epitaph (or the headline) be "Dog-Gone?"  Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California, on the possibility that Michael Vick's days with the Atlanta Falcons are numbered.

“The NBA schedule for next season will be released in about a month, and after that's released, NBA referee Tim Donaghy will release a list of the winners." NBC's Jay Leno

“Wouldn’t it be ironic if NBA referee Tim Donaghy was to get off on a technical?”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

And in case you missed it:

The Salary range for an NBA referee is $90,000 to $225,000. I'm betting Tim Donaghy was given a tip he wasn't in for a substantial raise.

And how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

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