THE SMASH HIT! DIRECT FROM OFF-BROADWAY!

2008-09 "MATTY" Schedule

* check here regularly for updated detail!

After a triumphant critically-acclaimed run Off-Broadway (and an equally successful nationwide tour --- thus far), Eddie Frierson continues the road trip of his award-winning one-man play "MATTY: An Evening With Christy Mathewson."

More performances are always being added. This is the schedule as of July 6, 2008:

2008-09

Next Scheduled Performance(s):

Please check this web site frequently to see if there may be a late addition to the schedule for engagements in 2008-09.

Other possible engagements in the works for 2008:

UCLA

Boston, Massachusetts

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Santa Monica, CA

Pendragon Theatre (Saranac Lake, NY)

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre (Rochester, NY)

Round Rock, Texas

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Repertory East Theatre (Newhall, CA)

Los Angeles, California

Sarasota, Florida

The White House --- Washington, D.C.

St. Petersburg, Florida

Chicago

The Nolan Ryan Center (Alvin, Texas)

Lancaster Center For The Performing Arts (Lancaster, California)

Two Roads Theatre (Los Angeles)

Whitmore/Lindley Theatre Center (Los Angeles)

San Diego Show in the Works (site to and dates be determined)

MCI National Sports Museum (Washington, DC)

Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida

Key Largo, Florida

Pasadena, California

* Check this page regularly for updated schedule information!

Other performance dates for MATTY are now being scheduled.  Please bookmark this site and visit every week to see the updates.  Mr. Frierson's schedule has been very full so co-ordinating shows is a real juggling act.  DON'T MISS THE FUN! You may also e-mail THE MATHEWSON FOUNDATION for updates via the internet.

All shows begin at 8 PM local time (unless otherwise noted)

"A perfect pitch! Pure Virtuosity!"

--- Clive Barnes

PAST ROAD PERFORMANCES (following a nine-month run in Los Angeles and a four-month smash hit run Off-Broadway):

1997

February -- Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, Rochester, NY

May/June -- 7-Week Return Engagement at the Two Roads Theatre, L.A.

June 14 -- Valencia High School Auditorium in Valencia, CA (special performance to benefit the Valencia High School Athletic Programs)

July 2-6 -- National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York

October 24 -- Weis Performing Arts Center, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

1998

January 16, 1998 -- UCLA Little Theatre, UCLA Campus (Los Angeles, CA)

April 3 -- Two Roads Theatre (Studio City, CA)

May 22 --- Keystone College (Factoryville, PA)

May 23 --- Commencement Address at Keystone College (Factoryville, PA) "as Christy Mathewson"

June 26 - "Christy Mathewson" (Eddie Frierson) throws out the first pitch for the Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants game at 3COM Park!

June 28 (2PM) - San Francisco (one night only) in conjunction with the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) National Convention.  A rare "free" performance at the San Francisco Airport Marriott. 

July 3-4 - Return Engagement to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY (July 3rd performance is a 3PM matinee with a free fireworks display over Lake Oswego afterward at sundown!).  The performance July 4 will begin at 7PM --- E-mail John Ralph at National Baseball Hall of Fame or call John Ralph at the Hall of Fame (607)547-0287 for reservations and/or more information.

July 11 - Performance in Saranac Lake, NY to benefit the non-profit "Historic Saranac Lake."  This was a very special show as Mathewson passed away in Saranac Lake on October 7, 1925. The venue was Harrietstown Town Hall, 30 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. For further information or to bring MATTY back to the Adirondacks, contact Mary Hotaling via e-mail at Historic Saranac Lake for any details.

August 7 -- KEYSTONE COLLEGE (Factoryville, Pennsylvania) This performance is in conjunction with "Christy Mathewson Weekend" in Factoryville and is sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Society.  Contact Sally Talaga via e-mail at: Wayne County Historical Society for more information.  Curtain time is 7:00pm.

August 8 -- (Factoryville, Pennsylvania) CHRISTY MATHEWSON DAY PARADE!

September 9 - GILL THEATRE, University of San Francisco

November 15 --- Two Roads Theatre (Studio City, CA)

November 29 --- Hillwood Auditorium (Nashville, Tennessee)

1999

January 10, 1999 --- APAP Conference, New York Hilton, New York (several abbreviated performances --- to give a sense of what MATTY is about) scheduled at 4PM, 7PM and 9PM in Conference Room 543 on the 5th Floor of the Hilton.  Free to the public.

January 15, 1999 -- UCLA Little Theatre, UCLA Campus, Macgowan Hall (Los Angeles, CA)

March 16, 1999 -- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, Studio Theatre, TAR 130 (Tampa, Florida).  Robin Roberts became the first Baseball Hall of Famer to see "MATTY" (for you trivia buffs) when he attended this performance!

May 13 --- Valencia High School Auditorium in Valencia, CA (special benefit performance for the Valencia High School Baseball and Girls' Basketball programs).  The curtain time was 7:00PM.  Contact (e-mail) Joan Warden  or Greg Hayes with any questions or for more information.

June 2, 1999 --- Sulphur Springs School Assembly (Canyon Country, CA) [POSTPONED]

June 16-20 --- Matty's week in Seattle was June 14-20.  The play was performedFriday and Saturday evenings, June 18 and 19, and Sunday afternoon, June 20.  "Matty" will also appeared at the Season Opener Banquet for the Everett Aquasox (Mariner's minor league club) on Wednesday night, June 16, and threw out the first pitch at their weekend opening series with Yakima on Sunday evening, June 20.   The Aquasox put on a turn back the clock old time baseball motif for the opening week including programs, music, and memorabelia.  Contact Dan Tripps for more information.

August 13-14 --- Keystone College, Factoryville, Pennsylvania.   This weekend celebrated Christy Mathewson's 119th Birthday in MATTY's hometown and featured the first ever CHRISTY MATHEWSON ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION (e-mail The Mathewson Foundation for details), the 4th Annual Christy Mathewson Parade and the 2nd Annual Big 6K Run!  The weekend, however, was sadly marred by the theft of precious Mathewson memorabilia from its display case at Keystone.  A reward is being offered for the safe return of the "unsellable" items.  Click here for details.

August 20 --- Whitmore/Lindley Theatre Center in North Hollywood, CA (Los Angeles).  8PM Performance.  For reservations call: (818) 761-0704.

OCTOBER 16 --- University of Tulsa (Oklahoma), Tyrrell Hall: MATTY will be performed as part of this very exciting weekend --- "OUR SPORTING LIFE" --- sponsored by the wonderful literary magazine, NIMROD.  There were workshops on October 15, 16 and 17.  "Games Writers Play" was the panel for Saturday morning the 16th and MATTY caps the weekend that evening.  Also featured this weekend were renowned writers W.P. Kinsella (author of SHOELESS JOE -- "Field of Dreams"  and Eliot Asinof (author of EIGHT MEN OUT).  Call the NIMROD office at 918-631-3080 for more information.

2000

FEBRUARY 12 --- MATTY came back to Southern California with a very special performance to benefit the Canyon High School (of Anaheim) Theatre and Athletic Programs.  An Off-Broadway show with the entire family to help support a worthy cause!

August 11-12 --- Keystone College, Factoryville, Pennsylvania.   This weekend celebrated Christy Mathewson's 120th Birthday in MATTY's hometown and features the 5th Annual Christy Mathewson Parade and the 3rd Annual Big 6K Run!  Call Keystone College at (717) 945-5141 for more information on next year's celebration!   August in Factoryville has become an annual "MATTY" event!

October 20-22 --- OUR TOWN THEATRE (Oakland, Maryland)!   This very special weekend brought "MATTY" to Western Maryland for the very first time!  Just a two hour drive South of Pittsburgh, these shows were a hit during the Fall Classic (both the World Series and the changing of the leaves!)!  A delightfully small 60-seat venue, the Our Town Theatre offered one of the most intimate opportunities to see MATTY up close.  We're hoping to return MATTY to the Our Town Theatre very soon.  If you would like more information or would like to request a return trip to Western Maryland don't miss the chance to call the Our Town Theatre at (301) 334-5640.

2001

February 11, 2001 -- UCLA Little Theatre, UCLA Campus, Macgowan Hall (Los Angeles, CA).  This return engagement at UCLA was a huge success as the performance honored the memory of former UCLA Head Baseball Coach Art Reichle and was attended by the UCLA Baseball Team.  It was a celebration of life and baseball!  Coach Gary Adams organized the event.

March 16-17, 2001 -- Play Ball!   MATTY kicked off Spring Training at the Arroyo Repertory Theatre in Pasadena, California.   The ART's Courtyard Theatre is located on the campus of the St. James United Methodist Church, 2033 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104.  For ticket reservations or information on other Arroyo shows call (626) 398-6522 -- and be sure to tell that that you "saw it on the MATTY Web Site!"

APRIL/MAY 2001 --- MATTY was performed in Valencia, California April 27 and 29 and May 5 at the Valencia United Methodist Church!   Performance times:

Friday, April 27 at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.

* Valencia United Methodist Church is located at  25718 McBean Parkway, Valencia, California.  You may phone the Church for information and directions --- or to ask them to bring MATTY back for a return run!  Phone the Church offices at 661-255-1301 or by fax at 661-255-0119.  You may also e-mail umcv@umcv.org.

July 6-15, 2001! --- A two week run at the Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre in Newhall, California!  Performances on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm.  The theatre is located at 24266 San Fernando Road in Newhall, California.  Call SCRT at 661-222-7278 for reservations and information or e-mail artistic director Craig Duswalt.   More information can also be obtained by clicking the above link for the SCRT!

July 21, 2001 IN VERMONT! --- MATTY will be performed in the Enosburg Falls, Vermont at the Enosburg Falls Opera House on July 21st!  Curtain time is 7:30pm.  Check here or e-mail the Mathewson Foundation for more information as the date draws near!

The Opera House at Enosburg Falls

123 Depot Street

P.O. Box 1150

Enosburg Falls, Vermont 

802-933-6171

July 24-26, 2001!--- National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY! The dates have now been locked in and MATTY returns to the Hall's Grandstand Theatre July 24-26.  That's the week before "Hall of Fame Week" that will include the inductions of Kirby Puckett, Dave Winfield, Bill Mazeroski and Hilton Smith!  E-mail Scot Mondore at the National Baseball Hall of Fame with additional questions.  Mr. Mondore may also be reached at the Hall of Fame (607-547-0270) for reservations and/or more information.  We'll see you at "the birthplace of baseball!"   This event will be co-sponsored by the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown and will include opportunities to dine at the world famous Otesaga with Mr. Frierson and other Hall guests.

AUGUST, 2001 --- A return trip to Christy Mathewson's home town of Factoryville, Pennsylvania for "Christy Mathewson Birthday Weekend" festivities including a performance of MATTY at Keystone College, the Big 6k Run, MATTY night at a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons AAA baseball game, breakfast for the town and the annual Christy Mathewson Parade!  Regrettably, conflicts in Mr. Frierson's schedule for the Matty Weekend dates will not allow him to be in Factoryville for the festivities this year. However, the events commemorating Matty's 121st birthday will still take place in Factoryville and we look forward to seeing "MATTY" back at the festivities in 2002!

SEPTEMBER 16, 2001 --- "MATTY" IN PASADENA! The Baseball Reliquary sponsored MATTY as part of its "The Interior Diamond: Baseball and the Arts" series.  This special performance was performed at 2pm at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium in the Pasadena Central Library.  The address is 285 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, California.  For information on the Baseball Reliquary call 626-791-7647.   The press release for this performance follows below the dedication:

The BASEBALL RELIQUARY Inc.

PRESS RELEASE:

MATTY
AN EVENING WITH CHRISTY MATHEWSON

Sunday, September 16, 2:00 PM
Donald R. Wright Auditorium
Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street
Pasadena, California
Free Admission / Information (626) 791-7647

          As part of its series The Interior Diamond: Baseball and the Arts, the Baseball Reliquary will present Eddie Frierson’s acclaimed one-man theatrical performance, “Matty: An Evening with Christy Mathewson.” Following in the tradition of such stage vehicles as Hal Holbrook’s “Mark Twain Tonight” and James Whitmore’s “Give ‘em Hell, Harry!,” Frierson’s portrait of the early 20th century pitching legend is based largely on the subject’s own words. In studied contrast to many of his vulgar, tobacco-chewing contemporaries, Christy Mathewson, winner of 373 games during his career, was a Bucknell graduate who headed two college literary societies and sung for the campus choir. As a member of John McGraw’s rowdy New York Giants for the first 17 years of the century, Mathewson was publicized as such a model of clean living that he inspired fictional baseball heroes for children and was considered personally responsible for attracting women and entire families to the Polo Grounds.

        In an extraordinary two-hour performance that took him 12 years to research and write, Frierson brings Matty to life and chronicles many of the era’s most fascinating personalities and events, including Frank Chance, Harry Pulliam, Bill Klem, Fred Merkle’s “Boner,” Charles “Victory” Faust, John McGraw, Hal Chase, and the Black Sox Scandal. Frierson’s show concludes with his hero crossing over into the 21st century as he engages the audience in a question-answer session.

        A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Eddie Frierson pitched collegiately at UCLA, where he obtained a Theatre Arts degree and bypassed a professional baseball career to pursue acting. He has been featured in dozens of television programs and many feature films and is the recipient of a New England Drama Critics’ Award.

        “Matty: An Evening with Christy Mathewson” will be presented on Sunday, September 16, 2001 at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium of the Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, California. The performance will begin at 2:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM) and admission is free of charge. Free parking is available on the street in the vicinity of the library or in the Los Angeles County parking structure located at 240 Ramona Street, one-half block south of Walnut, between Marengo and Garfield Avenues.

        For further information, contact the Baseball Reliquary by phone at (626) 791-7647 or by e-mail at skpubs@earthlink.net.

2002

Note:  September 11, 2001 cancelled most of the scheduled MATTY performances for the year.

JANUARY 30, 2002 --- SPECIAL PRIVATE PERFORMANCE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR "R.B.I." (Reviving Baseball in Inner-Cities). This show was performed at Universal Studios' Globe Playhouse for dozens of baseball (mostly Dodger) and other sports dignitaries including:   Sparky Anderson, Adrian Beltre, Scott Boras, Bobby Castillo, Ron Cey, Bob Daly, Tommy Davis, Rod Dedeaux, Al Downing, Dan Evans, Mitch Gaylord, Dennis Gilbert, Jim Gott, Bob Graziano, Tommy Hawkins, Matt Herges, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Jay Johnstone, Adam Katz, Kenny Landeraux, Tommy Lasorda, Rudy Law, Ken Medlock, Roger McDowell, Joe Moeller, Dick Nen, Robb Nen, Peter O'Malley, Chan Ho Park, Wes Parker, Reggie Smith, Duke Snider, Derrel Thomas, Maury Wills, Steve Yeager and John Young . . . among others.   WHAT A BLAST!

APRIL 2, 2002 --- Special performance at Valerio Elementary School in Van Nuys, CA

APRIL 3, 2002 --- Special performance at Victory Elementary School in North Hollywood, CA

MAY 13, 2002 --- Special performance at John Glenn High School in Norwalk, CA.

AUGUST 9, 2002 --- A return trip to Christy Mathewson's home town of Factoryville, Pennsylvania for "Christy Mathewson Birthday Weekend" festivities included a performance of MATTY at Keystone College (Friday the 9th), the Big 6k Run, breakfast for the town and the annual Christy Mathewson Parade (Saturday the 10th) and more!  Keystone College was once again the sponsor and the entire town of Factoryville joined in for the events commemorating Matty's 122nd birthday in 2002!  Call Keystone College at (570) 945-5141 for more information on the College or for next year's celebration plans!

2003

January 17-19, 3002 --- "MATTY" was performed three times at McNeese State University over the January 19th weekend for fun and to help benefit McNeese Baseball. More information on McNeese State University can be found at:

For additional information about the McNeese State Baseball program call (337) 475-5484, fax Head Baseball Coach Todd Butler at (337) 475-5063 or E-Mail Lyles Martin at McNeese State Baseball.

January 24, 2003 --- UCLA's Little Theatre, Macgowan Hall.  This performance has become a bi-annual tradition at UCLA and was presented to the public courtesy of UCLA Baseball.   Curtain time was  7:30 p.m.  Adults $10, Students $5.  Call Brian Smith in the UCLA Athletic Department at (310) 206-3302 for information on the performance already being tentatively booked for January of 2005 OR e-mail information@matty.org --- This performance was in conjunction with UCLA Baseball's Alumni Weekend.   What could be more fun than enjoying a performance with the past, present and future major leaguers on the UCLA Bruin Baseball Team?

April 11-12, 2003 --- Northridge United Methodist Church.  Two special performances in teh San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles!  "Matty" delighted audiences that filled the seats at NUMC and temporarily transformed the sanctuary into the turn-of-the-century Polo Grounds!

June 28, 2003 --- THE PACIFICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER located at Pacifica High School, 600 East Gonzales Road, Oxnard, California.

This was one of the most anticipated and unique MATTY events ever!  On the day that the New York Giants played the Chicago White Sox in an exhibition game in Oxnard, California on November 11, 1913, the schools were closed, thousands showed up and two newspapers covered the event.  The Giants won 3-2. 

The City of Oxnard celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year and to commemorate that event they are re-created the game that was played there during the famous 1913 World Tour featuring Charles Comisky's Chicago White Sox and John McGraw's New York Giants.  This event featured local historians lecturing on the event (with multimedia presentations), a performance of Eddie Frierson's acclaimed Off-Broadway play, MATTY and then culminating with the re-created game from 1913 at Oxnard College on Sunday, June 29.  The detail for the day even included a race between "Hans Lobert" and a horse!  This is just a small portion of a myriad of activites that were planned (i.e. dances, fireworks, concerts).

SUMMER RUN AT THE SANTA CLARITA REPERTORY THEATRE in Newhall, California!  MATTY returned to the REP for a two week run in August!

2004

March 20, 2004 --- HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS was the location site for this performance that was part of the Society of American Baseball Research's Dead Ball Era Committee Annual Meeting --- but open to the public.  Curtain time was 1:00pm at the Historic Malco Theatre (where President Bill Clinton attended the movies as a kid) and the admission was be only $10.  For information call Maxwell Blade's Theater of Magic at 501-623-6200.

July 31, 2004 --- THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Washington, D.C. (this was a special "adapted" performance as part of the Smithsonian's FAMILY FESTIVAL in conjunction with the Hall of Fame's BASEBALL AS AMERICA exhibit.  "MATTY" was in the museum throughout the day meeting patrons, telling stories and bringing the past to life!  Contact the Smithsonian if you'd like more details --- admission was free.

AUGUST 13, 2004 --- Matty returned to his hometown of Factoryville, Pennsylvania once again as part of Christy Mathewson Weekend August 13-14.  The show was again held in the Brooks Theatre at Keystone College.  Curtain time was 7pm and a capacity crowd was on hand.  On Saturday, August 14 was the annual BIG 6K Run, followed by breakfast on the Green at Keystone and the Mathewson Parade down main street in Factoryville beginning at Keystone College and ending at the Christy Mathewson Athletic Complex.

2005

April 10, 2005 --- "MATTY" was performed on Sunday, April 10, 2005 at 1:00pm Main Auditorium at the Missouri Historical Society's Missouri History Museum in St. Louis.  The performance was originally scheduled to be presented in the in open area of the Museum's Grand Hall in the Emerson Center but at the last second the auditorium was secured for the show and allowed for the full theatricality of the event!  Christy Mathewson had his greatest luck against the St. Louis ballclub (24 consecutive victories!) and it was fun to visit the site where the Giants first met up with their 1911 mascot, Charley Faust.  For more information on this WONDERFUL museum (free to the public) please contact the Missouri Historical Society for more --- (314)454-3150 or click the above icon links to go to the Society's Website.

Already performed in 2005-06:

Temecula, California

June 11, 2005

This performance will benefit the Temecula Preparatory School Baseball Program.  The performance (NOTE: TIME CHANGE! CURTAIN IS NOW 6:00pm!!!!) will be held in the campus auditorium of:

St. Jeanne de Lestonnac

32650 Avenida Lestonnac

Temecula, CA  92591

Directions From I-15 in Temecula:  Exit Rancho California Road, go east off of the freeway and turn right onto Butterfield Stage Left onto Avenida Lestonnac.  For more information call Temecula Preparatory School at 951-926-6776 or e-mail Jacob Kruger.

June 19-25, 2005

Valencia, California

November 5, 2005

BENEFIT FOR H.I.S. HOUSE

Valencia High School Auditorium

500 N. Bradford Avenue

Placentia, California

This special performance was a benefit H.I.S. HOUSE in the Placentia, California area (near Anaheim).  Curtain was 7:30pm for the performance at Valenica High School's Auditorium in Placentia but the fun started at 6:45pm with an auction that garnered over $1700 for a great cause!  For more information about H.I.S. HOUSE call (714)993-5774.

 
2006

Already performed in 2006:

February 25, 2006

William S. Hart High School Auditorium

24825 Newhall Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

Newhall, California

April 21, 28-29, 2006


1211 4th Street
Santa Monica, California 90401

2008

February 15-16, 2008

Canyon Theatre Guild

24242 Main Street
Newhall, CA 91321-2911
(661) 799-2702

These performances of MATTY were performed at the lovely Canyon Theatre Guild Playhouse in downtown Newhall just north of Los Angeles.  Proceeds benefitted the Santa Clarita Food Pantry. Over $1500 in funds were raised to help those in need in the Santa Clarita Valley!  THANK YOU to the Canyon Theatre Guild and Eddie Frierson!  Christy Mathewson continues to touch lives more than 80 years after his passing.  Remarkable.  Performances were at 8pm both evenings and were attend by a very large walk-up audience!  Several hundred enjoyed the weekend.  It was great fun for the whole family!

Texas State University

One Performance Only!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

San Marcos, Texas

It happened! MATTY traveled to Texas again! This special mid-week performance was for the entire family! We hope you didn't miss out! Contact Texas State University's Encore Series Website (link below) for more info! 

7:30pm
LBJSC Teaching Theatre

IN MEMORY . . .

In the wake of the horrible tragedies in our Nation the week of this show this performance of MATTY was dedicated to honor the memory of all those who lost their lives in the attack on America, including American Airlines Flight 77 Captain Charles "Chick" Burlingame III.

"Chick," 51, was a veteran pilot and former Navy officer. A graduate of Anaheim High School, he went on to the Naval Academy and flew for the Navy. He lived in Virginia and once worked in the Pentagon. But he retained a fondness for the home teams, the Angels and Lakers. Indeed, he'd hoped that his wife, Sheri, would accompany him to Los Angeles so they could attend a baseball game, but he couldn't get seats that were worth the trouble. He wanted to watch the Angels while celebrating his 52nd birthday, which was Wednesday, September 12. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend and he will be sorely missed. Burial is planned at Arlington National Cemetery, where Burlingame's father, a Navy and Air Force veteran, is buried.

REWARD!

for the Return of Stolen Mathewson Memorabilia to Keystone College!

Click here for Information and Details!