“I know what I should’ve done but I don’t know how to do that,” Mr. Crane answered. “I keep getting confused.”

Though they share a role, the Farinellis described their relationship as no closer than with the rest of the cast — but also emphasized that the whole ensemble was tight. (To that point, half an hour before the house opens at every show, the cast bats around a volleyball in the aisles.)

Mr. Davies is more loose and jocular before a performance, Mr. Crane said. Mr. Davies attributed that to being freed from the burden of acting, normally part of his responsibility when singing in full operas. (His last New York appearance was in “The Exterminating Angel” at the Metropolitan Opera.)

Yet the video game was proving a struggle for both of them. Neither player scored in the first match, much to the chagrin of Kit, the frustration of Mr. Davies and the bemusement of Mr. Crane. They tried again in a second match.

This match was going the same way. But finally a breakthrough: Mr. Crane willed the Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku to knock the ball into the net.