Heckling can have its rewards

Cubs fans: Now's your chance to yell, scream and holler at a St. Louis Cardinals fan - and possibly win a prize for it.

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights is sponsoring a "Heckle-A-Batta" contest Wednesday night in honor of the theater's production of "Bleacher Bums," a play that runs through early September and highlights the rivalry between the Cubs and the Cardinals.

The contest gives people "a chance to be rowdy and give Cardinals fans a hard time," said Brad Dunn, marketing manager for the theater, "and who doesn't want to do that?"

Sports lovers 21 and older are encouraged to come to Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub in Arlington Heights dressed as their favorite Cubs or Cardinals player or fan.

Each contestant will get 30 seconds on stage to impress the judges. Whoever performs the best and most spirited heckle wins the "grand slam" prize: an overnight stay at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington Heights, four tickets to "Bleacher Bums," a case of Budweiser Select beer, a one-time role in the show and a chance to lead the "Bleacher Bums" audience in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Three runners-up will receive tickets to the show.

The show, which originated in the 1970s by a group of Chicago actors, chronicles "how terrible it is to be a Cubs fan, sitting in the bleachers in the hot sun," Dunn said.

"There's a really colorful cast of characters in the show," he said.

Last year, when the theater performed "A Streetcar Named Desire," it sponsored a contest at the bar to see who could do the best "Stella!" scream. About 20 people competed in front people in the bar. Dunn said he's expecting a much bigger turnout this year.

"It's going to be a lot easier for more people to do it (this year) and I think it's going to be a lot more fun," he said. "Everyone goes to Cubs games and everyone loves to give the other team a hard time." He said the theater's choice to perform "Bleacher Bums" this year is "fortuitous" with the Cubs' great season.

Dunn said it's perfectly acceptable for someone to come wearing Cardinals gear, but they should know that they're on Chicago's turf.

"We hope the majority will be Cubs fans," he said.

If you go

What: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's "Heckle-A-Batta" Contest

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; registration for contestants at 7 p.m.

Where: Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights

Admission: Free; 21 and older

"Bleacher Bums": Through Sept. 6 Thursdays through Saturdays at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Cost is $27. Not recommended for children or young teens.

Call: Box office at (847) 577-2121 or visit MetropolisArts.com