'Field Hockey Hot' by 11th Hour

The music and lyrics by Michael Ogborn poke fun at the earnestness of athletes and the extreme competitiveness of their coach, a former player, who reminds us of the aggressive moderator (and former competitor) in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. That hugely popular musical was also about a group of quirky adolescents, as was another possible influence, Grease, which satirized the 1950s just as this new show skewers the 1980s.

When the star goalie of the Applebee Academy’s Appaloosas is injured two weeks before the championship game against the Fur Trappers from Regina, Saskatchewan, coach Shipley Barnes will stop at nothing to win the title. As remarkably played by Jennie Eisenhower, she cheerfully admits that the playoff game is “all about me.” Throughout the show, Eisenhower hyperactively highlights her character’s obsession with the past. She is so effective here that I momentarily forgot how well she has played dramatic roles (The Miracle Worker, Hedda Gabler, Parade, Wilde’s Ideal Husband).

Brash comedy and excellent singing

As hysterically portrayed by the baritone Rob Tucker, Sister George Michael hid a secret that provided a climax to the show. Earlier, he/she belted "Field Ev'ry Goal" as if it were “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music.

Alex Keiper was delightful as Maureen Gonzales, an orphan who was brought in to replace the injured goalie. Sean White as Kennedy Cox emulated Madonna. Leah Walton, with her low throaty voice, reminded me of Stockard Channing in Grease, and Michael Philip O'Brien was impressive as the coach's son Champ. All contributed brash comedic performances and excellent singing. Dan Kazemi led a solid onstage band.

Ogborn has a talent for writing catchy tunes that also carry emotional weight. And he revitalized every fad, song lyric, and catchphrase from that decade for comic effect, such as “Don’t cry out loud” and “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” His wordplay described the Fur Trappers as “tougher than marinated moose meat” and the horny team doctor is said to “put the art into artificial insemination.”

O’Brien’s direction referenced the style of the early music videos from MTV in the 1980s.

This was the first world premiere by the 11th Hour troupe. I can envision Field Hockey Hot having a long and prosperous life Off-Broadway. It’s a feel-good show with family appeal, and I look forward to a chance to see it again.