In this world premiere from Roundabout, Obie Award winner April Matthis stars as baseball player Toni Stone, the first woman to go pro in the Negro Leagues. Directed by Tony winner Pam MacKinnon. More…
Toni Stone is an encyclopedia of baseball stats. She’s got a great arm. And she doesn’t understand why she can’t play with the boys. Featuring a bullpen of players crossing age, race and gender to portray all supporting roles, "Toni Stone" is a play about staying in the game, playing hard, playing smart, and playing your own way.
"Toni Stone" is based on the book "Curveball, The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone" by Martha Ackmann.
See it if You’d like to see a show that is interesting and told in an unusual way although it needs some serious editing to make it a stronger story.
Don't see it if You can’t sit through a lot of sidetrack storylines that don’t get flushed out while on your way to the main story.
Also Interesting story. Desperately needs editing or a good rewrite.
See it if u want to see Matthis in a solid at-bat as the 1st female Negro Leaguer in an illuminating (if dry) lesson in racism, sexism & baseball.
Don't see it if ur hoping for a compelling, electric theatrical event worthy of the intriguing subject; u prefer action to exposition.
Also Like a low-scoring baseball game with too many extra innings, you're s... Read more Read less
See it if you are willing to sit through a lot of aimless storytelling for some thrilling group movement & 1 chilling “production number.”
Don't see it if you are looking for the story of Negro League baseball.
Also “Toni Stone” feels like an old-fashioned biopic, with the scenes playe... Read more Read less
See it if captures rhythms of baseball team thru offbeat kinetic choreography; poetic tribute 2 playing baseball; A Matthis' fine perf humanizes Toni
Don't see it if by 2nd Act show starts 2 run out of steam; sexist confrontations w teammates predictable; upbeat ending contrived
See it if April Matthis stars and she is very good as are the 8 other actors.
Don't see it if If you have no interest in baseball or its history. Very simple set (bleachers).
Also seen July 25, 2019
See it if You are interested in learning more about the first female professional baseball player
Don't see it if You are expecting this play to focus on the critical parts of Toni stones baseball career
Also This was a very frustrating one for me because I have a lot of knowled... Read more Read less
See it if You’re interested in a very moving yet very funny play with a great cast
Don't see it if Can’t think of a reason.
See it if you possibly can.This is 1 of my favorite shows this season.Cast is 100% solid.Staging is clever but not obtrusive.Story is funny/touching.
Don't see it if you want a big musical.This show has a lot to say and says it in an entertaining, way.Drew me in from the first second.Mattis is brilliant.
See it if historical bio-drama based on first female pro baseball player in Negro Leagues, much of it told by character directly addressing audience
Don't see it if don't want issues of racism, sexism. Play needs editing - many excellent parts but some segments miss
Also Great segment of how they ballplayers in Jim Crow era had to act as if... Read more Read less
See it if You want to learn about Black woman baseball player. True story.
Don't see it if You want a fast paced show. This is repetitious. Although big cast feels like one person play with monologues
See it if you want an introduction to a woman who broke down gender barriers for an extended time. A must see show.
Don't see it if you want polished writing that identifies and sticks to what should be its main topic.
Also Lydia R. Diamond's play gets much too caught up in the racism that Sto... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see a great performance by a very talented cast and get some history. You want to laugh and be thoroughly entertained.
Don't see it if You are not interested in a bit of history about the first woman professional baseball player. You don't want to laugh and see a great play.
Also Totally immersed in this play. I learned something very interesting an... Read more Read less
See it if well acted story of a forgotten person from history. staged well.
Don't see it if aside from main character the rest are just background. too long, 30 minutes could be cut.
See it if you are looking for a play whose history has a 21st century historical relevance
Don't see it if pulling back the curtain on a almost forgotten story is just not your cup of tea.
Also I loved the historical value of the play, but either the direction of ... Read more Read less
See it if Unique play highlighting the career of Toni Stone while focusing on racial,sexual, and political issues of the times. Matthis and cast excel
Don't see it if You are disinterested in a baseball themed play,but it is much more than a "sports story."
See it if You are a fan of baseball, American history, the African American experience, great ensemble acting, or creative casting and staging.
Don't see it if No reason not see see this worthy play and these fine performances.
See it if U enjoy baseball & excellent acting;are interested in learning about the 1st woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League.
Don't see it if U dislike historical or biographical plays, prefer plays w/ more action.There was a bit too much "telling" rather than "showing."
See it if THIS PRODUCTION WAS SO GOOD! I went in expecting a somewhat run of the mill historical drama and was completely caught off guard by how...
Don't see it if captivating and relevant the show was. Run to the Roundabout to see this. Seriously...it's phenomenal.
See it if you love to learn more about little known American history, and want to see content and plays with substance. Acting is tremendous.
Don't see it if you dislike characters speaking in vernacular, plays slipping in and out of different temporalities, characters that play multiple roles.
Also This place is very "woke", it's as much a feminist piece as a play abo... Read more Read less
See it if April Matthis is incredible. You're interested in a wonderfully discursive bio-piece about a little known pioneer in American sports.
Don't see it if You don't like obscure histories, strong language (there's a lot of it: profane/obscene/racist), or non-linear storytelling.
Also Matthis should win an award for this show. She is pitch-perfect and ca... Read more Read less
See it if Subject matter is interesting.Story-telling is not spoon-fed.Some resonant moments,with cross-section of sport, self/gender/racial identity.
Don't see it if Can get long in the tooth.
See it if You want a story about women in baseball. And a lesson about racism and relations in the 50s. Great acting must see.
Don't see it if You do not like biopics. You do not like stories about oppression and racism.
See it if You’d like to know about historical figures who don’t get talked about. It could’ve went without an intermission, but, it was a well-acted
Don't see it if Well-produced piece of theatre. There’s strong language, including the “N-word”, of course, some sexual gestures, and possible anti-LGBT
Also Sentiments, however, we have to be mindful that this is a period piece... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see a dynamic actress portraying a fascinating woman you probably never heard of
Don't see it if you have absolutely no interest in a play about the first woman to play baseball in a Negro league
See it if Most interesting when baseball is merely the framework of telling the individual story of Toni Stone - very good cast across the board
Don't see it if Enough baseball that if you are totally ignorant then there may be stretches that you might not care