Runt of the Litter opens in the final hour of Jack Henry's lifelong dream, only one thing stands in his way -- his brother. The play looks at what happens to two brothers in a family of over-achievers: when their parents assure their oldest son he is destined for football superstardom, while their youngest son appears too small to compete, a line in the family sand is drawn that colors the rest of their lives. Runt of the Litter is, in fact, a semiautobiographical account of Bo Eason's life and career as a safety for the Houston Oilers in the 1980s. Though resolutely American in its themes (the competitiveness and violence of sports, sibling rivalry, underdog makes good), it also contains elements of ritual theater and blood sacrifice that give the material a mythic resonance and power. This is a superb and substantive one-man show written and performed by  Eason, who gives a sexy, tough, charismatic performance of size and scope. The show cuts across all demographics and has an across-the-board appeal for everyone, from sports enthusiasts to hardcore theater lovers.

 

Performance dates

 

• Ogdensburg Command Performances
  Ogdensburg, NYC
  October 26

• Ferris State Theatre University
  Big Rapids MI
  November 12

• Columbia Theatre Longview
  Washington
  Jan 27, 2012