Sports stars turn out for North Coast Repertory Theatre benefit

By PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:26 AM PDT ∞

SOLANA BEACH ---- Veteran sports broadcaster Dick Enberg presented the West Coast premiere of his one-man play "McGuire" ---- based on the life and times of the late Marquette University basketball coach Al McGuire ---- in a two-night gala engagement April 21 and 22 that raised money for North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. Nearly 400 people attended the two-night event.

Enberg, who lives in La Jolla, attended both performances and hosted a post-performance question-and-answer session and reception at North Coast Rep's cafe. Among the celebrities in attendance at the two sold-out performances (for which tickets were $100 apiece) were San Diego Chargers Coach Norv Turner, retired University of Nevada at Las Vegas basketball coach Jerry "Tark the Shark" Tarkanian, radio sportscaster Felix Taverna, sports agent Dennis Coleman, actor Dick Van Patten, actor Cotter Smith, who played Al McGuire in the two performances, and Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellijian.

Enberg, a 40-year play-by-play announcer known for his trademark "Oh my!" phrase, based the play on the sometimes controversial McGuire, who led the Milwaukee-based Marquette basketball team to the national championship in 1977 and then went on to a career in broadcasting. The script recaps Enberg's memories of his longtime colleague and close friend. McGuire died from a blood disorder in 2001 at age 72.

Because there was more demand for tickets than there was room at the theater, North Coast Rep and Enberg will reprise the production with three encore performances Aug. 18 and 19. North Coast Repertory Theatre can be reached at (858) 481-1055.

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