- I saw Ray Didnger's wonderful play Tommy & Me last summer.I saw it again Sunday afternoon at the Media Theater, a larger venue. I had front row seats The spacious theater was nearly full. The audience was mostly older and almost everyone was wearing some sort of Eagles gear.
The play itself didn't differ much from last summer. It still brought back great memories and seemed even more special and sentimental as Eagle fans continue to ride the wave of their Super Bowl championship.
Directed by the great Joe Canuso, the play flows and the 70 minutes flies by quickly. There are 4 actors- a young and older Ray and a young and older Tommy McDonald.
What makes the play work is the personal story of famed sports writer Ray Didnger meeting the legendary Eagle receiver Tommy McDonald's at training camp every summer, becoming friends and even carrying his helmet after practice. They meet again later in life and Ray helps Tommy get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along-overdo honor.
The special part of the story is life going in circles- the football player giving the adoring kid so much then the sportswriter giving back in return. It makes one smile, laugh and cry. It shamelessly tugs at the heartstrings, but in this world we live in now, don't we need more stories like Tommy & Me?
I'm not sure if the play will ever go beyond the Philly area. It deserves to be seen by a larger audience but there is a unique bond between the Eagles and the area. Maybe Didnger will write a screenplay for a movie someday. instead of the older Ray talking about his childhood memories with McDonald he could show those memories. Maybe he could incorporate somehow the Birds finally winning the Super Bowl?
I know Tommy's health has not been good. I wish him the best and hope the play makes him smile. It sure has made me happy the two times I've seen it.
Note: Special guests at the matinee performance Sunday afternoon were two players who were on the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles first Super Bowl appearance- linebacker Bill Bergey and tight end Keith Krepfle. They joined Didnger and Canuso for a brief Q & A session after the show. Bergey was funny, still huge. He recently had a knee replacement and hobbled slightly to and from the stage. Krepfle was OK but was a little long winded. Both praised their coach, Dick vermeil, like he was a saint.
Each performance has a special guest or host. Also in attendance yesterday were former Eagles ticket manager Leo Carlin and Ava Graham, Big Daddy's daughter and a member of the WIP Morning Team.
The play runs thru August 26. Tickets still remain. Go see it!
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