Back Talk at Mosaic

Post-show talk back bull sessions between actors and audiences have become a popular way to engage jazzed-up crowds after a performance and cement a relationship between the theater and its patrons.

But there are talk backs and there are talk backs.  Mosaic Theatre in Plantation has scheduled a slew of talk backs for its upcoming show Lombardi featuring interaction with sports figures, sports journalists, one of Lombardi’s daughters and the television actor who played the title role during the drama’s New York run.

The play slated for next month focuses on the legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi and his wife, Marie. The play takes place mostly in November of 1965, when a young journalist from New York City comes to live with the Lombardi family in order to write a story. The play was a surprising if modest success in New York.

The guests at each talk back include:

Saturday, Nov. 12 following 3 p.m. performance: Miami Herald sports journalist Phil Latzman.
       Latzman has spent the last two decades covering news and sports. Latzman was sports director for WIOD and WINZ, where he hosted a nightly sports talk show and anchored coverage of both Dolphins and Miami Heat broadcasts. He currently anchors and reports for the Herald’s radio operation. He’s also been familiar as host of WLRN’s Morning Edition.

Saturday, Nov. 12 following the 8 p.m. performance: Miami Dolphin and Hall-of-Famer Dwight Stephenson and Miami Dolphins’ radio host Jesse Agler.
       Stephenson was the center for the Miami Dolphins from 1980 to 1987. He earned both All-Pro and All-AFC recognition five straight years from 1983 to 1987. He was named the AFC or NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in major polls. Stephenson was selected for five straight Pro Bowl games, and was the starting center in the 1982, 1984 and 1985 AFC championship games and in Super Bowls XVII and XIX.
Agler is also host of “The Finsiders,” the team’s daily radio/web show. He has served as studio host for the Florida Marlins Radio Network, the Miami Hurricanes Radio Network and the Florida Panthers Radio Network.  He is also the co-host of the “Inside the Fins” TV show and of the “Dan Marino Podcast” on Dolphins.com.

Thursday, Nov. 17 following the 8 p.m. performance: Sun Sentinel sports columnist Dave Hyde.
       Hyde has been a Sun entinel columnist since 1990. Prior to that, he worked as a sportswriter at the Miami Herald from 1985-90.

Sunday, Nov. 20 following the 7 p.m. performance: Actor Dan Lauria and Lombardi’s daughter,Susan
       Lauria is best known for his portrayal of the intimidating and money-conscious father on the TV series The Wonder Years which ran from 1988 to 1993. But he played the part of Vince Lombardi 274 times when the drama ran on Broadway in 2010-2011.
Ms. Lombardi will share her thoughts about the play, memories of her father, and her unique insights into the man behind the iconic figure.

Wednesday, Nov. 23 following the 7 p.m. performance: Miami Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl.

Friday, Nov. 25 following the 8 p.m. performance: Jim Berry, weeknight sports anchor for CBS4 News.
       He also anchors CBS4′s Miami Dolphin coverage and Sports Rap. Berry is a three-time Best of Miami winner and has won five Emmys.

Others slated to participate in talkbacks to be announced later: Jim “Crash” Jensen, played 12 years with the Dolphins; Keith Byars, fullback and tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and the New York Jets; Jorge Sedano, morning show host at 790 The Ticket; Will Manso, sports director for Local 10; plus sports journalists Kim Bokamper and Greg Cote.

To see video interviews of star Ray Abruzzo, Laura Turnbull and Antonio Amadeo by WPBT’s uVu by Neal Hecker, click here.

Lombardi runs Nov. 10 – Dec. 4 at the Mosaic Theatre at the American Heritage Center for the Arts, 12200 West Broward Boulevard, Building 3000 in Plantation. Performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturday; 2 & 7 p.m. Sunday, plus 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. Tickets are $34 -$39.50 for adults, $15 for students. Call (954) 577-8243 or visit www.mosaictheatre.com.