Genre: Comedy
Written by: Rolin Jones
Directed by: Greg Felden
Performed by: Kevin Rich, James Lloyd Reynolds, Jason Lindner, Gabrielle Castellini, Billy Eugene Jones, Peter Macon, Andrew Guilarte, Keiko Yamamoto and Jeanine Serralles
Running time: 80 minutes
Web site: dwightstreetbookclub.org

Initially, this 1950s tale of a troubled Catholic torn between his devotion to his ugly fiancée and his passion for the roller rink, feels hindered by its hokey set-up and preponderance of stock characters including an Irish priest, a shady manager, and a fast-talking announcer with nothing to say. Yet as the story (and the derby season) progresses, Rolin Jones' script takes some unexpected turns and, more importantly, provides continual inspiration for choreographer Tim Acito and director Greg Felden. Amped up by athletic staging and raunchy sight gags, the sad sack's lessons in life and love earn belly laughs even when the sportscaster jargon feels forced. The expert cast members—hams one and all—prove as comfortable chewing up Sandra Goldmark's highly adaptable scenery as they do at simulating taxi rides without vehicles and competitive skating without skates.—Drew Pisarra

• Where: The Players Theatre-Studio 3C
• When: Sat, Aug 14 at 8:30 p.m.; Mon, Aug 16 at 5 p.m.; Thu, Aug 19 at 7 p.m.; Fri, Aug 20 at 10:45 p.m.; Sun, Aug 22 at noon; Thu, Aug 26 at 7 p.m.; Fri, Aug 27 at 5 p.m.