Even the most peripheral of football fans have heard of Vince Lombardi. In his eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he coached them to five NFL championships, including Super Bowls I & II. Indeed, the Super Bowl Trophy is now named after him. Among his most famous quotes are his thoughts on winning through teamwork, and these include: “People who work together will win”; and “Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

By extension, we could say that this same commitment makes a play work. And Theatre Raleigh’s current production of Lombardi proves the coach’s sentiments — in spades. Indeed, the group efforts of playwright, director, designers, and actors combine to yield a championship-quality victory.