In Terri Mateer’s one-woman show, A Kind Shot, she opens her heart and bares her soul –  taking us through her emotional ups and mostly downs. Until someone “leaned-in” empowering her to take charge,Terri never knew she had a choice nor a voice.

Terri uses basketball as an allegory for her life and at times basketball was her only salvation. As a child there wasn’t much emotional support from her family so she sought it elsewhere. She was smart, artistic and athletic, but often a poor judge of character leading to situations where she was emotionally and sexually abused. She played professional basketball, lived overseas, modeled, stripped and designed erotica. Then she got sick. You couldn’t make up a story as wild and heart-breaking if you tried – yet this is her life.

Terri is imposing. She’s 6’1″ and stunning. The tone of the play is conversational – as if she’s talking to a group of friends. This is not a polished play. Instead A Kind Shot is more a workshop composed of anecdotal stories which include mature and graphic sexual subject matter*. She does not appear to be bitter or angry, rather she exudes warmth and approachability. Terri’s hope is to “package” her play for high schools and colleges to teach about the power of “leaning-in” to help a friend. It’s an important lesson and, no matter what gender or age, we can all learn from her story. LAR & AJF

*We were shocked that a woman brought her ten year old son. This play includes subject matter that is meant for mature audiences. We were uncomfortable knowing he was there and when they finally walked out in the middle of the play – probably when the mother realized this play was about much more than basketball – there seemed to be a sense of relief.

Davenport Theater, 345 W. 45th Street

Ticket prices: $18 at http://terrimateer.com/. Use CODE AKS13 for $5 discount

Discount tickets: Broadwaybox.com and thru papering services

Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission

Runs thru: February 8, 2015