Following a sold-out run in the 2024-25 season, People’s Light, Chester County’s 50+ year destination for world-class theatre and live arts, welcomes the return of Tommy and Me, written by celebrated Philadelphia Sports Journalist and broadcaster Ray Didinger. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the production, which has delighted audiences and Philadelphia Eagles fans since its first staging in 2015.
This limited 16-performance engagement runs Oct. 7-19 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage at People’s Light, perfectly timed between the Eagles’ Broncos showdown and Giants match-up. Tickets start at $59 and are available at People’s Light or by calling 610-644-3500.
Directed by Joe Canuso, Tommy and Me is the heartfelt story of a young Eagles fan and his hero, Hall of Famer Tommy McDonald, the Oklahoma kid who came to Philly in 1957 and helped deliver a historic win over Vince Lombardi’s Packers at Franklin Field, sparking a passion for Eagles football that still runs deep in Philadelphia families today.
Woven from Didinger’s own experiences, the play captures the timeless themes of loyalty, perseverance, and the power of sports to shape lives and communities. Audiences, fans, and families can engage further with the production through post-show talkbacks after every performance with Didinger, often joined by Canuso, members of the cast, and special guests.
Audiences will be reunited with the returning cast from last year’s Tommy and Me production, including Christian Giancaterino as Young Ray, Matt Pfeiffer as Ray, Frank Nardi Jr. as Young Tommy, and Tom Teti as Tommy. The artistic team features Set and Lighting Designer Thom Weaver, Video Designer Michael Long, Costume Designer Katherine Fritz, Sound Designer and Composer Michael Kiley, and Script Consultant Bruce Graham, with People’s Light company artist Deborah Teller serving as Stage Manager.
“Tommy and Me brings people together much like an Eagles championship run,” said Zak Berkman, Producing Artistic Director at People’s Light. “It’s fun, surprising, and most of all, powerfully communal. Audiences are deeply touched by Ray’s story; it transcends football. It’s a story about family, memory, and connection. We are thrilled to move it to our larger stage so those who missed it during last year’s playoffs can catch it during the early part of this season, and those who are already fans of the show can take it in again.”
For Didinger, the return of Tommy and Me carries personal significance: “For me, the tenth anniversary of Tommy and Me carries a special meaning. We first shared the story with a public reading in 2015, and here we are a decade later, still chugging along. Seeing the play fill the Steinbright Stage night after night this past January was a thrill, and we were delighted when Zak invited us back. Bringing it to the Haas stage this season means even more people can share in that joy. I’m truly grateful it continues to resonate with so many.”
People’s Light Managing Director Shonali Burke stated, “As I settle into my first season at People’s Light, it’s remarkable to see everyone’s eyes light up when they hear Tommy and Me is returning to Malvern. Ray has created a deeply personal work that resonates with lifelong sports fans and newcomers alike. It’s the perfect cultural welcome for newbies like me, and a homecoming for the community at large.”
Additional Tommy and Me programming includes:
- Increased Access Performance: Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2:00 PM.
- Audio Description: Headsets provide live, narrated commentary on key visual elements of the performance, woven seamlessly with the dialogue for blind and low-vision audience members.
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation: Provided by Hands UP Productions, ASL interpreters bring the performance to life for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members.
For more information on this production, additional programming, news, and events, please visit People’s Light.
Learn more at People’s Light. Founded in 1974 in Malvern, People’s Light is one of Pennsylvania’s largest professional nonprofit theatres and a national leader in creating and producing new work. With a deep commitment to community, the organization seeks to inspire and connect people through stories that illuminate our shared humanity. Each season features a mix of world and regional premieres, bold new takes on classics, and joyful musical revivals, as well as creative community-centered programming that welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
In addition to its robust season of productions, People’s Light is home to an award-winning education program and year-round arts engagement initiatives that transform the campus into a vibrant gathering place through immersive performances, music, food, and community. With its resident company of artists and long-standing collaborations with playwrights and performers, People’s Light continues to be a cultural hub that champions innovation, inclusion, and the transformative power of the arts.
