Richard Greenberg’s 2003 Tony Award-winning play “Take Me Out” had its Chicago premiere at the Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., on March 24. As the title suggests, this is a baseball story. As the title more subtly suggests, this is also story of a man revealing his homosexuality to one of America’s most traditional institutions, Major League Baseball.

Darren Lemming is a superstar baseball player — a hotshot outfielder for the fictional New York Empires at the top of his game. “Take Me Out” chronicles the effects of Lemming’s coming out of the closet and ultimately putting his career and the reputation of his well-respected team in danger. In juxtaposing America’s favorite pastime with such a relevant social issue, Greenberg aims to achieve an unorthodox look at American tradition and ideology.

Greenberg, an avid baseball fan, was inspired by Billy Bean, the professional baseball player who announced his homosexuality in 1999. After some highly sensationalized media coverage, no professional baseball player has come out since.

While “Take Me Out” is performed in the small Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, it is actually mounted by a small local theater company, About Face Theatre. About Face is dedicated to performing works that explore the roles of gender and sexuality in contemporary society. The production is part of the Steppenwolf Theatre Visiting Company Initiative — a program designed to bring interesting works from lesser-known theater companies to the receptive Steppenwolf audience.

“Take Me Out” is playing through May 1. Tickets cost $25-40 and are available at www.steppenwolf.org or by calling 312-335-1650.

— Rachel Wolff