Thursday, October 27, 2011
MARQUEE
Tribune 11
Lee E. Ernst captures the essence of ‘Lombardi’
Photos courtesy of Michael Brosilow
Off the field, players Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor and Dave Robinson get fired up about thier coach, Lombardi.
Milwaukee Rep brings Wisconsin legend to life By Jennie Jorgensen jennifer.jorgensen@marquette.edu
Last year, the Green Bay Packers brought the Lombardi Trophy home to Lambeau Field. This fall, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater brings the legendary coach Vince Lombardi home to Wisconsin in “Lombardi.” Although the National Football League’s Super Bowl trophy is named for him, very few know the story of Lombardi the man — his inspirations, passions, ability to drive people to achieve and his quick, booming temper. This is the story “Lombardi” tells. The Rep’s post-Broadway Wisconsin premiere, recently extended through Nov. 20, is based on the book “When Pride Still Mattered: A Life Of Vince Lombardi” by David Maraniss. The play is written by Academy Awardwinner and Wisconsin native Eric Simonson. In “Lombardi,” Look Magazine reporter Michael McCormick, played by the Rep’s Resident Acting Company member Gerard Neugent, travels to Green Bay to write an article about the legendary Packers coach. Hoping for some good press coverage, Vince and Marie Lombardi invite Michael
to stay with them for the week, observe practices and talk to members of the team. Throughout his stay, Michael talks to and observes Marie along with three of Lombardi’s legendary players: Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor and Dave Robinson. He learns about Lombardi’s years as a banker, his religious beliefs and family life, his ascension to the Packers head coachi n g j o b , his relations h i p w i t h h i s players, his signature “power sweep”
play and, of course, his boisterously powerful voice. Angela Iannone, who plays Marie Lombardi, effortlessly manages to recreate the loud-mouthed, tough-loving, Brooklyn-accented wife of a football-obsessed coach. Clearly an audience favorite, Iannone has a wit about her and a sparkle in her eye that exposes exactly who Marie must have been: a woman everyone loved. Marie, portrayed as the refreshing relief from Lombardi’s hot temper, guides Michael on his quest for a wellwritten and carefully researched article. Acting as somewhat of a narrative character, Neugent pushes the play’s action forward, which means the story jumps back and forth in time with flashbacks of the Lombardis’ former years. Two large projector screens help with this process, filling the background of the
Reporter Michael McCormick, played by Gerard Neugent, spends a week with Lombardi, his wife and his team in order to learn everythig he can about the famed coach’s life for a magazine feature.
Milwaukee Rep actor Lee E. Ernst spent months preparing and perfecting every aspect of his role as Packers head coach Vince Lombardi.
Quadracci Pavilion stage and his role, nailing every detail of functioning as partial sets to Lombardi’s mannerisms, stateasily switch between past and ure, jaw line, accent and, most present, practice fields and obviously, his voice — all withLambeau locker rooms. out a slip. Neugent plays the young, Lombardi’s personality is observing journalist well, step- mercurial and tough, yet inspirping out of the spotlight often ing. To make the audience feel in order to allow the unfolding as if they knew the man in a of the story and stepping back 120-minute period on stage is in to narrate his truly a feat. character’s writ- Lombardi’s personality is Ernst caping process for mercurial and tough, yet inspiring. t i v a t i n g l y the audience. To make the audience feel portrays this By the end of as if they knew the man in a essence from the week, his 120-minute period on stage is scene one. character is, fit- truly a feat. By the end tingly, changed of Ernst’s and inspired by performance, the coach in a dramatic way — it is obvious why Lombardi a process Neugent very grace- remains such a powerful, quotfully captures. able legend. Lombardi’s legendary playWith the exception of Neuers Hornung, Taylor and Rob- gent (who plays the only ficinson are recreated by Reese tional character in the play), Madigan, Arthur Lazalde and every actor in this production is Cameron Knight, respec- presented with the task not only tively. Besides their some- to act out a character, but also what lankier-than-a-foot- to resurrect the personalities of ball-player physical stature, real people — people truly bethese three actors precisely loved in the state of Wisconsin. portray the camarade- The cast easily accomplishes rie, dedication and respect this feat with heartwarming ferwhich defined their Packer vor, leaving the audience smilcounterparts. Especially Lazal- ing and ready to watch some de, whose character’s tight re- football. lationship with Lombardi and Packer paraphernalia props concern for the team is revealed aside, the Rep’s production of most extensively, shows the “Lombardi” captures the spirit genuine sincerity and personal- of a winning team, instilled by ity underneath the helmet of a a restlessly devoted coach. He football player. gave people the power and inThe shining gem of the pro- spiration to do things they never duction, however, is none other dreamed possible, he gave the than the Rep’s Resident Act- Packers of the 1960’s the power ing Company member Lee E. to bring home victory and he Ernst as the iconic Vince Lom- gave the Packers of today a trobardi. He truly becomes one in phy to rightfully call their own.