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Hail to ‘The Chief’
PITTSBURGH — “The Chief” premiered at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in 2003 and instantly caught fire.
No surprise, given the topic. It’s a one-man show in which beloved Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., aka the Chief, shares his life story with the audience.
Steelers fans love it, and the show has been sold out for just about every one of its performances over the years.
But there is more at work here than just the loyalty of Steeler Nation.
Because as director Ted Pappas pointed out, “The Chief” isn’t just about football.
“It’s about Pittsburgh, and how this great industrial city and its people created a great man ... and how this man turned around and produced a great team that is a reflection of this city,” said Pappas.
“The Chief” was written by Youngstown native Rob Zellers and Pittsburgh Post- Gazette sports columnist Gene Collier. It stars Tom Atkins.
The theater will bring back “The Chief” one last time, from Wednesday through Jan. 10.
Then it will retire the play for the foreseeable future.
Why would the PPT stop doing such a perennial money-maker?
“It’s time to move forward,” said Pappas, who is also artistic director of the theater. “It’s the type of theater we are. We have other projects that we’re working on. Our mission is to produce a wide variety of works, both national and international. Even with the unprecedented success of [‘The Chief’], it’s time.”
Fans of “The Chief” can take heart in knowing that the play has been preserved on DVD, which the Pittsburgh Public will offer for sale in the very near future.
When the play returns this week, so will Atkins, the actor who has played Rooney in every performance going back to Day One.
Atkins is a major reason for the show’s undying popularity, said Pappas.
“Tom is a well-regarded film, TV and Broadway actor, one of America’s finest,” said Pappas. “He took to the role perfectly and identifies with it. He’s going to miss it, but like any great artist, he’s curious about what’s next.”
“The Chief” is a 90-minute one-act play, set inside Rooney’s office in the old Three Rivers Stadium in 1977. Some of Rooney’s actual office equipment, including his desk, is part of the set.
“He begins a conversation with the audience, whom he sees as friends and fans,” said Pappas. “He doesn’t just talk about football. It’s very funny and touching. I’ve never seen a play where so many grown men cry.”
The play is demanding for Atkins, who not only has to memorize a lot of lines, but has no one on stage with whom to interact. “It clicked for Tom when he realized that he had 600 people a night as co-stars,” said Pappas, referring to the people in the seats. “He talks directly to the audience.”
The play has always attracted a cross-section of people. “When you look at the audience, you see everything from high society to Steelers fans, children, high-profile politicians, businessmen, sports legends ... everyone is in that audience,” said Pappas. “And I’ve never heard such pandemonium in response. There’s laughter, cheers, hushed silence and a standing ovation at each performance.”
Many current and former Steelers players, including Franco Harris and Andy Russell, have attended, as well as members of the Rooney family.
“It’s Tom [Atkins’] performance that does it, as well as the play itself, the legend of Mr. Rooney,” continued Pappas. “There’s this heartbeat going through the audience of hard-core Steelers fans saying ‘we love you.’ There has been an amazing electricity since the first performance.”