 In 1981, longtime Cubs fan Jerry Pritikin, the Bleacher Preacher, was hired as a paid consultant for a production in San Francisco, instructing the cast there on Chicago fan vernacular, and proper fan behavior.Joe Mantegna and Dennis Franz starred in the original production, a performance of which was filmed for PBS broadcast in 1979, directed by Stuart Gordon.Other cast members over the years have included Dennis Farina, Gary Sandy, and George Wendt.