A superb play, “Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone” (playing at The Workshop Theater 312 West 36th Street, 4th floor through December 17th) began with David Gow as “Tommy” citing the names of the people who made him what he is.
This evoked one of my all time favorite scenes the one in “Save The Tiger” in which Jack Lemmon’s (he won the Academy Award for his performance in “Tiger”)character insists that his younger companion cite “names/names.”
At that point I hoped “Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone” could even approach “Tiger” one of the great works this society has produced in multiple decades.
The play surely succeeded as not only the expected brilliance of Terrence McNally manifested, but did so in a great production led by Gow’s performance as “Tommy Flowers.”
Kudos to the other members of the cast, all of whom gave moving performances.
They are Sam Garber, Daniel O’Shea, Emma Geer, Al Fallick, Emily Kitchens and Noelle Franco.
This was a truly inspirational performance, beyond the amazing names. Providing both humor and pathos “Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone?” looks intensely at the internals and externals that shape an individual.
David Gow pictured above.
Click below for more information.
Terrence McNally’s WHERE HAS TOMMY FLOWERS GONE? Opens …
Concerning tomorrow’s relevant playoff qualification games I will offer some predictions.
I preface this by saying these are really tough games to call.
Oklahoma, a seven point favorite, will repeat its victory over TCU three weeks back, and make the four team ‘off. Sooners 34 TCU 24
Next, I think Georgia, a current 1 loss team will qualify by avenging a loss to 2 loss Auburn, which also occurred three weeks ago. Georgia (a 2 or so point underdog) 21 Auburn 17.
At night, 2 loss, Ohio State wins but does not cover as a 7 point favorite vs an unbeaten Wisconsin team. Let’s try Ohio State 27 Wisconsin 24.
All these are for no money, or small change as pictured above.
Tomorrow night in a game of some magnitude, USC is a 4 point favorite vs Stanford, in the Pac 12 Title Game.
USC will keep their faint chances of appearing in the 4 team playoff, with a not so impressive (33-30) win.
I believe USC, as is the case with TCU, has little, if any chance, to make the 4 team playoff, even with a victory.
We shall see. However, as stated, it is SEC winner, ACC winner, Wisconsin, if they win, and Oklahoma if they win. I believe the spot likely is between Alabama and Ohio State, if Ohio State wins vs Wisconsin in the Big 10 Title game. TCU is ahead of USC, but appear locked out, by Alabama and or Ohio State, even if they “bark,” i.e. win outright), as 7 point underdogs, vs Oklahoma, in the Big 12 Title Game.
During the telecast of the deciding game of the 1986 ALCS, won by the Boston Red Sox over the California Angels, the pretty dramatic game 5, 1984 World Series home run by Kirk Gibson was shown as part of the baseball promotion.
That home run off then San Diego Padres’ pitcher, Rich Gossage, (“G” vs “G”) wrapped up the Tigers’ virtual wire to wire, 1984 title, their fourth and most recent.
In the next even year, 1988 Gibson struck an even more dramatic blow vs another Hall of Fame pitcher, then Oakland Athletics’ pitcher, Dennis Eckersley.
His 2 out, 2 run home run (B9) in game 1 of the 1988 World Series, transformed a one run L.A. Dodgers deficit into a game one victory.
L.A. went on to win the ’88 W.S. for their sixth and still most recent title.
A player with great impact and to me more deserving of “Hall” status than some who are in there, Kirk Gibson pictured above.
I will call it another “winning” prediction, of course with no money involved, as the (6-5) Baltimore Ravens were bet to an 8 point favorite and took “the out of it,” (4-7) Houston Texans, by 7 points.
Houston has the all important Astros’ title and the NBA Rockets (16-4, the Celts are (18-4), have the league’s second best mark (did you see (6-14) Sacramento won at Golden State last night. The defending champion (15-6) Warriors were 14 point favorites, though playing sans their top two players, Messers Durant and Curry), but forget the Texans this season.
The last weekend (NFL) manifested in 12 of 16 faves, and an incredible 14 of 16 underdogs “good” in the 7 point “wease.” (teaser). Only 5 teams, three favorites (K.C. Jacksonville and the Steelers, (Pitts won by just 3 points as 14 plus point(s) favorites) and two “dogs” (I love the who rescued who stickers as rescuing animals is a noble pursuit, certainly one better than following the NFL and “teaser” bets) the Cowboys and Bears.
I went (4-2), with one near exact margin, after a (5-1) week with an exact score and I believe two exact margins. Again, no money involved.
Where is Gil Brandt, when you need a story?
A quick prediction on tonight’s NFL tilt.
Yesterday, another split, but the Bills predicted to cover won outright at slumping Kansas City.
Tonight 7 plus point favorite Baltimore 24 Houston 20.
I was wrong, by the way, Francesa right, as Cincy covered Cleveland.
Alas ’twas not “dog day afternoon,” as faves covered 12 of 15 thus far this weekend.
I do not want to sound like a tout or appear immodest. Additionally, I do not take it all that seriously, as it can change on a dime (hopefully not when betting a “dime”). However, my prescience of late has been astounding, the latest another near “exact margin” of victory–Missouri by 3 (I predicted by 2), as a near 10 point “fave” at Arkansas, two days ago.
Likely, after all “faves” on the past Thursday/holiday so the “suckers”/players could brag to their families (better than arguing politics or religion? better than hearing re cousin Jeffrey as on Seinfeld?), this will be a “dog day afternoon.”
Underdog announcer Greg Gumbel, so much better than in his days as top CBS announcer, presides: Near 10 point “fave” K.C. 26 Buffalo 20
Next, soon to be off WFAN after a lengthy, lucrative run, Mike Francesa “touted” Cincy to cover as an eight point favorite vs (0-10) Cleveland.
I channel, driving back to Albany after this holiday’s weekend (why did I never try con “R.L.” even when Diana’s “Touch Me in the Morning” played) in ’73–saying Cleveland will win outright. If that happens, who needs a score?
Either way, there will be no “score.”
Click below to hear Diana Ross sing the iconic “Touch Me In The Morning.”
Touch Me In The Morning – Diana Ross –
After Auburn (bet against from a 4 to a 6 point underdog), upset top ranked Alabama, it now appears ‘Bama, which has never won an official title with a non “lame duck” Republican U.S. president (W.J. Clinton had been elected, but G.H. Bush was still in office when ‘Bama upset Miami to claim the ’92 prize), will need help, likely having to get it and still be selected over Urban Meyer’s Ohio State team, to get a title this season with of course, a Republican currently in as president.
Anything can happen, South Carolina might upset Clemson in a tilt beginning soon, but very likely the A.C.C. title game winner either (11-1) Miami or currently (10-1), defending champion Clemson will be one of the four ‘offs teams.
Surely the winner of the SEC title tilt with Nessler (in ’14 Nessler, then with ABC “presided” over Ohio State’s upset win over Alabama on a day Mario Cuomo died as I continue with presidents or in his case, never ran for president) between (11-1) Georgia, which I say will win and (10-2) Auburn will be in.
I predict Georgia will win because Auburn beat them at home on “The Plains,” (Jimmy Carter of Plains, Georgia had been elected but Gerald Ford was in office when Pitt denied Georgia in the ’76 season Sugar Bowl/title tilt. Pitt denied West Virginia in ’07, took Clemson late last season but Clem won it all and Miami’s loss yesterday likely will not keep them out if they beat Clemson next week. Have all that?!) two weeks ago.
If Oklahoma, the team I think will eventually win it all, beats TCU in the Big 12 title tilt, they will be in. If 2 loss TCU avenges a loss to the Sooners, also 2 weeks ago, who knows?
Likely, it comes down to if Ohio State beats Wisconsin, it is either 2 loss Ohio State or 1 loss Alabama. I hope it would be Alabama and it should be Alabama but it could well be Ohio State and I feel they are even more dangerous a threat to win it all than a second chance Alabama team would be.
There could be chaos, perhaps there definitely will be in the national title selection process.
Bernie Kopell is pictured above as “Siegfried” a great character/KAOS agent on the show “Get Smart.”
Though he and I lost, it is with great positive emotion,that I recall champion Boston Celtics’ player, Larry Siegfried, telling Jerry West, (Jerry was magnificent with 42 points in defeat), he was “the only player,” after #7, ’69 NBA final–when the balloons burst as they often do.
One college football prediction for today after a split on the two “over the total” predictions yesterday.
By the way, all favorites in the three pro games, it is an “Al Pacino, John Cazale, James Broderick movie,” this Sunday.
Today nearly 10 point favorite, Missouri 36 Arkansas 34.
Put “Day” in the “movies middle.” It manifests in an excellent movie “Dog Day Afternoon” pictured above and a superb actor, Daniel Day Lewis.
The sucker, I mean player bragged regarding his 3 favorites winners yesterday. Sunday will be (under)dog day afternoon, at least that is my “read” at this point.
Two “totals” predictions on this day.
“They” will give the “sucker,” I mean player and the fans, high scoring traditional locale tilts.
First in Detroit, try 56 total points, more than enough.
Ditto (cue Demi Moore and the late Mr. Swayze in Ghost) in Dallas, with say 51 points.
What’s the line? High in the 40’s, could be the temperature.
Andy B Sports 