I saw the play "Tommy & Me" Sunday afternoon at the Fringe Arts theater in Philadelphia. I saw Ray Didinger's play about Philadelphia Eagle great Tommy McDonald for the third time. Yesterday's performance was easily the best.
Didinger is a longtime great sportswriter in town. He is author of numerous books, including the Super Bowl edition of Eagles Encyclopedia. This is his first time as a play write and it's a winner.
For those not familiar, Ray helped McDonald get on the ballot of the Football Hall of Fame, after being overlooked for 30 years. McDonald was an All-American and All-Pro wide receiver.
The play will make you laugh and cry. It's far more emotional now, maybe because the real Tommy McDonald ( who live din nearby King of Prussia) died last September. In that way now the play takes on a whole new meaning; keeping McDonalds' spirit alive.
The four-person cast of characters is excellent, comfortable in their roles now. All but one have played their roles since the plays' inception, three years ago.
Even though I knew the lines, after seeing the play two times before, it remains fresh and strikes a chord more than ever.
You really don't need to be a football fan to enjoy "Tommy & Me." It's more about friendship and the human spirit rather than football. Still, the 220 or so people in the audience mostly wore some sort of Eagles gear, be it a midnight green jersey or kelly green cap.
"Tommy & Me" has become a tradition now before the football season starts. There was talk of a movie or a more extensive play away from Philly, but it really is a Philly story and should stay here. The only thing I would consider is maybe filming the play and selling DVDs, especially for those fans who cannot attend the play.
Director Joe Canuso does an excellent job. His grandson plays the part of Young Ray. This may be his last year, as he is getting taller and his voice grows deeper with every season. The rest of the cast is stellar in their roles.
I give "Tommy & Me" a solid three stars out of four ***
Sometimes it is too much dialogue and we are given endless stats about McDonalds' career. But the real heart of the play comes near the heartfelt ending, and the induction in Canton, Ohio of #25 into the Hall of Fame.
Note: Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie may see the play for the first time ever, sometime next week. Hopefully he will be so impressed and moved by Tommy McDonald's story that he does the right thing and retires old # 25 before too long.
It's an honor long overdue.
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