Toni Stone
by Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Pam MacKinnon
Choreographed by Camille A. Brown
A coproduction with Arena Stage
A.C.T.’s Geary Theater
“I play with ‘the big boys.’ Only ever did play with boys, even when I was a little girl.”—Toni Stone
Toni Stone dreams of nothing but baseball. But to become the first woman to play professionally with men as a member of the Negro League’s Indianapolis Clowns, she must confront hostile crowds, ruthless team owners, and players who slide spikes first. As she negotiates life’s challenges and opportunities on and off the field, Toni stays true to herself and reaches for who she can be.
In this new play, playwright Lydia R. Diamond (Broadway’s Stick Fly and Showtime’s The Affair) uncovers the theatrical journey in Martha Ackmann’s book, Curveball: The Remarkable True Story of Toni Stone. The culmination of a seven-year collaboration between Diamond and director Pam MacKinnon, Toni Stone is the extraordinary, real-life story of a trail-blazing Bay Area athlete.
Support for this production provided by The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation & National Endowment for The Arts.
“Best New Play of 2019”
The Wall Street Journal
“One of the best players you have never heard of”
Negro League Baseball Players Association
“Critic’s Pick! Astonishing, dancelike movement by Camille A. Brown”
The New York Times
“A provocative story of grit and determination”
Newsday