Tommy and Me

THEATRE EXILE PRESENTS

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

TOMMY AND ME

BY 

RAY DIDINGER 

             SPONSORED BY WIP 

                         &

            ZALLIE SUPERMARKETS

Theatre Exile is presenting a special engagement production of Tommy and Me August 3 through August 14 at FringeArts. 140 North Columbus Blvd.  This autobiographical play recounts a pivotal time in Ray Didinger’s life as he helps his boyhood hero, Tommy McDonald reach his goal of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ray said ,”This play is a personal story about hero worship; it’s about my relationship with Tommy and all he evoked in me while I watched him as a child and got to know him over many years.”  Tommy and Me will feature performances by Theatre Exile’s Associate Artistic Director Matt Pfeiffer along with Tom Teti and Simon Kelly.  This world premiere will be directed by Founding Artistic Director Joe Canuso with Bruce Graham as script consultant. Ray Didinger is an award winning sports writer.  He has won six Emmy Awards as a producer and writer with NFL films. He is the author of eleven books on sports, including three recent best sellers, is currently a host on 610 WIP all-talk sports radio talk radio and is the primary analyst on ComcastSportsNet TV on the Eagles Post-Game Live. Tommy McDonald is a Hall of Fame football player who played for the Eagles from 1957-1964. He was instrumental in taking the Eagles to the 1960 NFL Championship game.

The Invisible Hand

Ian Merrill Peakes &
Maboud Ebrahimzadeh

Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar has written a political thriller that is being presented by Theatre Exile at Studio X (1340 S. 13^th Street) through June 5. Thanks to Akhtar’s razor sharp script, superb acting by a small ensemble cast and the booming electronic sounds that accompany each blackout and new scene, this production is brilliant. Nick (Ian Merrill Peakes) is an American banker who is imprisoned in Pakistan by an Islamic militant group that doesn’t like the American banks. Knowing no one will pay his $10,000,000 ransom, Nick, a savvy financier, strikes a bargain to earn his freedom by trading in the international market. Since he is not allowed to touch a computer, one of his captors, Bashir (Maboud Ebrahimzadeh), makes the trades as Nick instructs him.  Nick explains, “The free market is guided by self-interest called ‘the invisible hand’. You just have to know what everyone needs.”  There are many short scenes ending in a blackout with character or furniture changes, always accompanied by the electronic blasts. This keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. This is not to say there is no humor.   In one day’s trading Bashir had made quite a bit of money and Nick wants him to sell.  He is disinclined to do so.  Nick, furious at his greed, yells, “Bears do well in a Market and so do Bulls but Pigs gets slaughtered”…to which Bashir replies, “Not in Pakistan.”  J Paul Nicholas portrays the Iman who is the titular leader of the Islamic group but absolute power can be removed absolutely as seen when Bashir dons the Iman’s robes. Anthony Mustafa Adair portrays Dar, who  is originally  the only one connected to Nick but becomes  a shadow of himself by the end of the play.   Bashir learns the market very well from Nick and makes a fortune on his own while causing riots in the streets. Terrorism, no matter what banner it carries is wretched and those caught in its web, whether perpetrators or victims, are forever changed.  Perhaps this is one of the many truths Akhtar has tried to portray. For more information or tickets, call 215-218-4002 or visit online at theatreexile.org. 

Rizzo

Scott Greer & Amanda Schoonover

The set of Theatre Exile’s production of Bruce Graham’s world premiere of Rizzo is minimalistic, but the performance of Scott Greer and the ensemble cast is anything but. Scott Greer’s performance is explosive as he portrays the volatile Frank Rizzo journeying through his years as a Philadelphia policeman, Police Commissioner and Mayor. While Damon Bonetti, as a reporter, keeps Rizzo on track throughout, the ensemble cast of Robert Daponte, Akeem Davis, Paul L Nolan, William Rahill and Amanda Schoohover weave flawlessly through Rizzo’s life-story  animatedly appearing as multiple characters front and center and dynamically interacting with Scott Greer. The Rizzo years are vividly retold by this exceptionally talented cast. Theatre Exile’s production of Rizzo, based on Rizzo: The Last Big Man in Big City America by Sal Paolantonio is being presented at the Christ Church Neighborhood Playhouse through Nov. 7. Whether you were a fan of Frank Rizzo during his tenure, couldn't abide the man, or never lived anywhere near Philadelphia during the Rizzo era and had no personal connection with the larger-than-life politico, you will be enthralled by this performance.  Tickets are available by calling (215) 218-4022 or visiting online at www.theatreexile.org. 

Annapurna

Ulysses & Emma together after 20 years

Theatre Exile, located at 1340 S 13^th Street, is presenting the Philadelphia Premiere of Sharr White’s Annapurna through May 11.   Annapurna takes its name both from the intriguing mountain chain that Ulysses, played by Pearce Bunting, can observe from his trailer window and from the epic poem he has written to his ex-wife whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years.  Catherine Slusar portrays Emma, Ulysses’ ex-wife. It is difficult to determine which one of them is more surprised when she appears unannounced at his doorstep with several pieces of luggage. He, because she reappears after having walked out on him 20 years ago, or she, because he is nude, except for an apron, and is living in almost total squalor in a beaten-down trailer.  What ensues is a tribute not only to Sharr White’s flawless writing but also to the superb performances of Barrymore Award winning actors Bunting and Slusar. The play is not without humor.  There are chuckles throughout, but this is by no means a comedy.   Emma cautiously investigates the foundations upon which her life with Ulysses had been based before she was forced to leave him.   With delicate precision Ulysses morphs from a craggy, self-absorbed hermit to a man more attuned to others’ reality. The production is greatly enhanced by the original music provided by sound designer Daniel Perelstein who works in conjunction with set and lighting designer Thom Weaver to provide prominent breaks in the dialogue with blackouts and music intervals. Sometimes it is tough to let go.  Come see this engaging production which will have you involved in grappling discussions the entire ride home from the theatre.  For more information or tickets call 215-218-4022 or visit online at www.theatreexile.org.