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By Joe Straw
Right off the bat 108 stitches refers to the stitches on a baseball. It’s a pretty good number and just one of the numbers highlighted in this play. Ernie Silva, the performer, wears several numbers on his baseball uniform, 370 on his left chest, 3 on his left arm, and 21 on the back of his jersey. Twenty-one was Roberto Clemente’s number a fellow Puerto Rican just like Ernie. Three was Babe Ruth’s number. And the number 370 represents his address on Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn, New York where he grew up.
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents Thresholds of Invention’s 108 Stitches written and performed by Ernie Silva, directed by Mary Joan Negro, and produced by Beth Hogan and Tony Abatemarco which has a one-night growth on Saturday August 3rd, 2024.
The play108 Stitches had a previous incarnation being performed in front of an audience prior to this night. And, for the most part, it is steady as you go. If one had to remember all the numbers that are presented on this night, one would go bat sh*t crazy. But, maybe, it’s not the most important thing to remember.
Still, while listening to the performance, one couldn’t help but think that the writing was brilliant in the way that Hamilton, in the beginning stages was brilliant, brilliant but raw. But it is a play that needs nurturing with more eyes to finish the product. And this is what this night was all about especially with the talk back after the show.
Ernie Silva plays Ernie Silva because there is not a character name in this piece so one would think that it is autobiographical of sorts.
The play is about a father who is confronted by his son wanting to play little league baseball. This causes Ernie to remember his past and the hardships of trying to make it in the game and whether it is a good idea for his son to play a game that caused his life so much hardship.
So, he thinks about his past while his son (unseen) waits in another room. And somewhere along the way he decides to play a nine-inning game and the winner of the game, (a game he loves by the way) will help him make the decision for his son. The score is kept by the emotional outpouring of the stories he has lived and relates within himself, winning points he scores, losing points the other team scores. The scored points are sometimes arbitrary flashing without warning as significant emotional moments creates a re-awakening of sorts.
Mary Joan Negro, the director has the 80-minute story moving in very interesting directions. It is as though the performance was in a meta-verse taking place within the time element of the human mind, so although it is eighty minutes in length all the backstories could have taken place within the time element of a few seconds, a reason why all parents have made up their minds within seconds of a child’s request based on their own history. No is usually the first answer. Yes, everything is here, the characters are unique and special, and the familia relationships struck a deep chord. There always is some sort of abuse growing up and encountering bad moments in everyone’s life but, the one thing that touched a nerve was that Ernie did not have a backup, a father who could come to his rescue when things really needed his presence and attention.
And maybe that is what is missing because that moment didn’t hit with a striking chord and needed to. Also, in 108 Stitches, we lost sight of his son waiting to get an answer from him. Within his mind, Ernie is trying to find the answer and when he finally finds it, we’ve lost the awakening of his decision and the reason he moves off stage with his decision in tow. The play begs for some kind of presence of the son, something that he can look upon to score a moment between the two, maybe the baseball bat was that symbol, but it didn’t come off that strong in the way it was manipulated on stage. Also, the baseball with the cover torn off must mean something more than what was presented.
Briefly, the son wants to try out for little league baseball, dad doesn’t need the hassle of taking him to practice, coaching the team, or spending money he doesn’t have to get him the help he needs. But what was it about his life that made him think that way?
So, Ernie relives his relationship to the game with the significant moments of his life, the abusive adult, and his uncle Charlie who never filled in as the nurturing adult. That outcome could be a significant moment that changes his relationship to his son and the outcome of his final answer. But, at times there is this curious air of detachment.
Ernie Silva created a grand physical life on this night. His dancing was also top notched if only it had a connection to his son. Also, breaking the fourth wall and connecting to the audience breaks the spirit of the play. It is a life within himself that the needs the utmost attention and creativity.
There is something very dramatic and creative in 108 Stitches that requires a few more stitches to set it on its final theatrical course. But this is a heck of a good start!
There was some very fine music composed by Lucas Tamaren and worked well with the play.
There was no credit for the clown in the show’s program.
Tony Abatemarco was the curator.
Candy Joe Dahlstrom is the stage manager.
Miles Goldsmith is the lighting consultant.