BY RACHEL HERGETT FOR THE CHRONICLE
“What is the school motto, Miss Honey?” asks barbaric Crunchem Hall Elementary School headmistress Agatha Trunchbull in “Matilda,” a musical adaptation of the children’s novel by Roald Dahl that opens at the Shane Center in Livingston on Friday, Oct. 21.
“Bambinatum est maggitum,” she demands the young teacher repeat. “Children are maggots.”
The Trunchbull, as she is known, enjoys locking misbehaving children in “the chokey,” a small closet lined with sharp objects. Director Russell Lewis is Trunchbull on stage, his tall frame looming over the students of Crunchem Hall during a rehearsal on Sunday.
The character is meant to be terrifying. Miss Honey, played by Heather Buck, even sings a musical pep talk before entering the headmistress’s office to tell her about Matilda, a new student with astonishing intelligence.
“Roald Dahl always has these incredible, strong children as his protagonists against what feels like insurmountable odds and there’s always these horrible adults,” Buck said. “And yet these kids are so strong, they can surpass all of that to become these whole, exciting people.”
Far beyond her peers, who struggle sounding out words on the board, Matilda is voracious in her appetite for books, saying she has read a bunch of books, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, “Jane Eyre,” “Crime and Punishment” and “The Invisible Man” — this week.
In the title role is Aila Harting, a slight 10-year-old fifth grader who cites her acting experience as two supporting roles in school plays — “a flower and a bat.” Like Matilda, she loves to read.
Harting and a group of friends joined the more than 70 people who auditioned for the production. Like many of the children, she had her sights on the role of Matilda.
“I wasn’t expecting it though,” she said.
It only proves one of Matilda’s mantras, “Even if you’re little, you can do a lot,” which Harting says “at least four times” in the role and is featured in the song “Naughty.”
ABOVE: Children in the 43-person “Matilda” cast sing during a rehearsal at the Shane Center on Oct. 16. LEFT: A costume feautures the crest of Crunchem Hall.
“Matilda” runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 13 in the Dulcie Theatre at the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts, 415 E. Lewis St. in Livingston, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, seniors and veterans, and $10 for youth at the Shane Center Box Office, (406) 222-1420, or www.theshanecenter.org.
@ 9am / Free
BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky 406-995-2742
@ 9am / Free
Bozeman Fish Technology Center, 4056 Bridger Canyon Road, Bozeman. 406-582-0526
@ 9am / Free
Bozeman Fish Technology Center, 4056 Bridger Canyon Road, Bozeman. 406-582-0526
@ 6pm
Join local watercolor and oil paint artist, Kathryn Murphy, for compli mentary snacks, wine and social izing, celebrating the opening of her art exhibit at Steep Mountain! Free event. Steep Mountain Tea‐house, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. manager@steepmt ntea.com, 406-577-2740
@ 6pm
Join us for Happy Hour Open Mic with host Jon Jacobs! The perfect end of the week activity Grab your of�ce mates and come try your hand at some comedy Sign-ups start at 5:30pm Last Best Com edy, 321 East Main Street, Boze‐man. info@lastbestcomedy com, 406-570-7766
@ 7:30pm / $15
Bozeman, it’s time to get stoked for ski season. Yep, the Quality Ski Time Film Tour is back for year two, and we’re bringing you an all new lineup of the greatest ski �lms of the year 111 S Grand Ave, 111 South Grand Avenue, Boze‐man. corinne.baud@rygr us
The Late Show @ 10pm / $10
Come check out our Late Show Stand-up! New Comics New
Material + Surprise Guests! Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@lastbest comedy com, 406-570-7766
The 2022 Bozeman
The 2022 Bozeman Photo Expo is October 22nd & 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman, Mon tana. Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman, 2023 Com‐merce Way, Bozeman. 406-586-8300
The 2022 Great Pumpkin Giveaway Food Drive @ 12pm
Get into the Halloween spirit and support the great efforts of the Big Sky Community Food Bank Fire Pit Park, Ousel Falls Rd Ousel Falls Road, Big Sky sarah@ bigskyfoodbank.org, 406-9953088
Kirby Brown @ 7pm
The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman
Paul Cauthen @ 8pm
The Elm (Bozeman), 506 N 7th Ave, Bozeman
Paul Cauthen: SOLD OUT - The Elm @ 8pm
The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman
Run for Your Life 5k & Kid's Run/Walk @ 8am / $12-$25
Oct 23rd - Oct 29th
1 Bobcat Cir (MSU Football Sta dium), Bozeman
Photo Expo is October 22nd & 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman, Mon tana. Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman, 2023 Com‐merce Way, Bozeman. 406-586-8300
Community Art Class: Weaving and Textiles with Lucy Pettrick @ 6pm / Free
BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky 406-995-2742
EDM Night! @ 7pm
The Bozeman Hot Springs and Unreal Productions are teaming up for an EDM Night full of lights, bass, lasers, fog, and dancers Come out to groove and party!
Bozeman Hot Springs, 81123 Gal latin Road, Bozeman. adam@bh springs com, 406-586-6492
Vincent Neil Emerson @ 8pm
Live From The Divide, 627 E Peach St, Bozeman
James McMurtry @ 8pm
The Elm (Bozeman), 506 N 7th Ave, Bozeman
The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman
James McMurtry @ 8pm
The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman
5:30pm
Join us for a free, casual, social Argentine Tango dance hosted by Bozeman Tango, with one-on-one lessons available upon request!
Costumes encouraged for Hal loween-time! Steep Mountain Teahouse, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. manager@steepmt ntea.com, 406-577-2740
Vincent Neil Emerson @ 8pm
Live From The Divide, 627 E Peach St, Bozeman
Tue 10/25
Bone Dry Comedy brings Open Mic night to Last Best Comedy. Our weekly open mic is a sup‐portive place to start your comedy journey, try new material, and connect to the Bozeman Stand up scene. Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@ lastbestcomedy.com, 406-5707766
Oct 26th Nov 16th
BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky 406-995-2742
We have two new House Teams that are ready to try some stuff out and showcase their improv prowess! Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@ lastbestcomedy com, 406-5707766
Thu 10/27
Introduction to Mosaic @ 10am / Free
Oct 27th - Nov 17th
BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky. 406-995-2742
BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky 406-995 2742
@ 6pm / $18.50
This fall, celebrate winter with Warren Miller’s Daymaker. Watch as we rewrite the rules of back‐country riding, hit winter’s biggest party, and surprise a superfan. Join Karl Fostvedt, Michelle Parker Ellen Theatre, 17 West Main Street, Bozeman. feedback @warrenmiller com, 406-585 5885
@ 7pm
Live music while you soak! Featur‐ing the local acoustic soulful reg‐gae artist Cole Thorne Bozeman Hot Springs, 81123 Gallatin Road, Bozeman. adam@bhsprings com, 406-586-6492
The Filling Station, 2005 N Rouse Ave,, Bozeman
Live From The Divide, 627 E Peach St, Bozeman
The Love Darts: HAUFTO‐BER THE FINAL NIGHT (RITUAL OF THE BRIDE) @ 10pm
Haufbrau House, 22 S 8th Ave, Bozeman
@ 9am / Free
Join Nonpro�t Cafe on Friday, Oc‐tober 28th at 9:00 am for the free, virtual course, "How to Avoid and Reduce Burnout". This course is open to all Gallatin County non‐pro�t staff and volunteers Gallatin County. jill@onevalley.org, 406587-6262
@ 5:30pm
Release party for Michele Corriel's new "The topi sents nates
129 East Main Street, Bozeman.
gallery@oldmaingallery com, 406587-8860
The Filling Station, 2005 N Rouse Ave,, Bozeman
Live From The Divide, 627 E Peach St, Bozeman
The Love Darts: HAUFTO‐BER THE FINAL NIGHT (RITUAL OF THE BRIDE)
Join us for Happy Hour Open Mic with host Jon Jacobs! The perfect end of the week activity Grab your of�ce mates and come try your hand at some comedy Sign-ups start at 5:30pm Last Best Com edy, 321 East Main Street, Boze‐man. info@lastbestcomedy com, 406-570-7766
10pm
House, 22 S 8th Ave, Bozeman
Nonpro�t Cafe // Tools to Reduce and Command Burnout
9am / Free
An evening resurrecting some of the world's most renowned poets from the dead! Prizes and gifts for all judges, participants and guests For more info email: bpc submissions@gmail.com Steep Mountain Teahouse, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. manager@ steepmtntea.com, 406-577-2740
The Play That Goes Wrong - a riotous farce @ 7pm / $5-$10
Hawks Theater & Raptor Theater present The Play That Goes Wrong, a comedy! OCT 28,29,30 NOV 4,5,6 Fri Sat 7PM, Sun 2PM
Alice in Chains Dirt Vinyl re-issue
Curr y Melt My Eyez
Madvillainy-
BHS Auditorium Bozeman. Online tickets https://www fobyt org/ home or at door. Bozeman High School, 205 North 11th Avenue, Bozeman. lila.michael@bsd7.org, 406-522-6000
with Vieux
Trans Closet at Steep Mountain Tea @ 7pm
Browse a gender-af�rming closet and �nd clothes that make you feel comfortable and con�dent! Clothing is completely free. Steep Mountain Teahouse, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. manager@ steepmtntea.com, 406-577-2740
The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman
Terrapin Flyer @ 8pm The Av Ba @ M ingston
This feature-length comedic take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet stars Kaitlyn Dever (“Dopesick”) as Rosaline, the jilted ex of Romeo (Kyle Allen, “West Side Story”) who launches an effort to get him back when she sees him pursuing Juliet (Isabela Merced, “Instant Family”). Minnie Driver, Bradley Whitford and Sean Teale also star for director Karen Maine (“Yes, God, Yes”). (ORIGINAL)
Canadian comedy legend Eugene Levy reteamed with his frequent colleague Catherine O’Hara in this 2015-20 sitcom (which he co-created with his son, Dan) in which he stars as filthy rich video store magnate Johnny Rose, who suddenly finds himself broke, forcing Johnny, his soap star wife Moira (O’Hara) and their two kids (Dan Levy, Annie Murphy) to move to a small, depressing hamlet they once bought as a joke.
After she nearly dies of an overdose, a young advertising executive (Jemima Rooper, “The Girlfriend Experience”) returns home to her estranged mother (Kate Dickie, “Red Road”) and a sleepy English village with a terrifying dark secret in this horror flick from writer/director Ben Steiner (“Monsterland 2”). Sarah Paul, Simon Meacock and Christina Cole also star. (ORIGINAL)
A huge, star-filled ensemble cast is among the chief attractions of this whimsical 2021 dramedy anthology from director/co-writer Wes Anderson. The eccentric plot follows three diverse storylines as the French foreign bureau of the (completely fictional) Liberty, Kansas, Evening Star newspaper publishes its first issue. The cast includes Frances McDormand, Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson.
Is it true that your parents Max and Helen Rosenthal inspired Frank and Marie Barone from “Everybody Loves Raymond”? That’s true. A little bit of Ray’s (Romano) dad is in there but a lot of my mom is in there. Now, she didn’t look like that, obviously, but that kind of attitude, you know, that was there. But the part where she was jealous of her daughter-in-law, though, was taken from my father’s mother, who had that attitude towards
mother. So it’s funny when you’re writing, you take from
and you put in traits from wherever you can. I can’t say any of them are carbon copies but I can say that many of the stories on ‘Raymond’ were inspired by them.
The cast of the landmark series reunites for this feature-length drama that follows them as they venture to the South of France to uncover the mystery behind the Dowager Countess’ recently inherited villa. Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt and Elizabeth McGovern star for director Simon Curtis (“My Week With Marilyn,” “The Art of Racing in the Rain”). (ORIGINAL)
Style is everything in the original 1968 version of this sophisticated crime story, casting Steve McQueen as an urbane Boston millionaire who masterminds bank robberies for kicks. Faye Dunaway plays the insurance investigator determined to get the goods on him — but she doesn’t count on surrendering her emotions in the process. Director Norman Jewison’s cast also includes Paul Burke, Jack Weston and Yaphet Kotto.
V ino per Tutti’s Member ship is Bozeman’s best way to experience new, exciting and unique wines.
With no member ship fee you’re free to explore the wor ld of wine on your own ter ms...star t or stop at any time. It’s fun and easy, just like wine should be!
John Wayne met 3D when this 1953 Western played in theaters, but even without that process, it stands as one of the Duke’s more solid offerings. Directed by John Farrow, the saga makes Wayne’s title character the guardian of a widow (Geraldine Page) and her young son (Lee Aaker, “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin”) when they’re caught between Apache factions. James Arness and Ward Bond co-star.
“Movie: Run Sweetheart Run” Ella Balinska (“Charlie’s Angels”) stars in this 2022 thriller about a single mother who runs for her life through the streets of Los Angeles when her seemingly charming blind date turns violent.
Shohreh Aghdashloo, Pilou Asbaek, Clark Gregg and Aml Ameen are also in the cast for director Shana Feste (“Country Strong,” “Endless Love”).
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” on Disney+ (Words in parentheses not in puzzle) (Mr.) Benedict
Number Two Reynie (Muldoon)
“Sticky” (Washington)
Kate (Wetherall)
(Tony) Hale (Kristen) Schaal (Mystic) Inscho (Seth B.) Carr (Emmy) DeOliveira
on page 12
(L.D.) Curtain Orphans Kidnapped Scavenger (Hunt) (Save the) World
BY GEORGE DICKIENexflix’s “Drink Masters” is about so much more than who makes the best margarita or gin and tonic.
No, the competition series that begins streaming its 10 40-minute episodes Friday, Oct. 28, is more about the artistic side of mixing drinks. Here, 12 of the most skillful and creative bartenders – or mixologists as the series refers to them – are tasked with infusing, stirring and blending their way through a gauntlet of high-stakes cocktail challenges. The victor, as judged by awardwinning bar entrepreneurs Julie Reiner and Frankie Solarik, moves on to vie for the chance at winning a $100,000 grand prize at season’s end. Actor Tone Bell (“The Flash”) is the host.
But these aren’t your father’s cocktails. These are drinks that often tell a story – about the drink itself, the contestant or something else. And the story doesn’t necessarily have to be only in the glass. It could be on a small tray with other ingredients surrounding the glass. If there was a Michelin star for mixologists, these folks would have one.
It’s really outside-the-box thinking on the part of the contestants, all of whom have culinary backgrounds and thus take that approach to their liquid creations.
“They really have a culinary background because it’s the mixing, combining of flavors and really changing the composition of certain ingredients into something different,” explains executive producer Tim Warren (“Bar Rescue,” “Undercover Billionaire”). “So
yeah, they’re bartenders, they’ve all been strictly behind the bar, many of them have their own bar but they’ve kind of elevated cocktails to a whole different level. ... So they have this combination of great bartender skills as well as a culinary background/appreciation. And that combination is what enables them to create these unbelievable drinks.”
In the first episode, the contestants are challenged to make one of the world’s most requested drinks, the margarita, what we know as a mixture of triple sec, lime juice and tequila with salt on the rim of the glass. But these folks are using odd ingredients like gelatin, tea, elderberry and smoked salt to make their interpretations, which range from a deconstructed margarita to a Japanese-inspired variation.
What the judges want to taste is something they’ve never had before – a tall order for this drink – but one that still captures its essence. And always with complexity and creativity.
“What these mixologists are creating is liquid art,” Warren says. “You know, that’s really what these are. So very much (like) ‘Blown Away,’ (where) they’re creating these pieces of art with glass, our mixologists are creating art with their cocktails – or cocktail art, if you will.”
V E E A M W G N I S Y I C H A
A H K E C Q S H E N D E A P M R E A S X O S Q U P Z G F W A P W T H E D F M D S I O B N R O C E L U O B V T N B I E Y S W V N R L E D I V A R L N P O H E D I R A C N U O I R E Y N I E X T A K Y S R R L G D E D L R W S Y N C P A L V T I C U E O K U T A H S A D J S C H A A L I G V A L G T F Z R T E V M L V E N Q S B N C U O G R K M N N S O K I D N A P P E D S U G M J E C V M J R T X T Z L E D E O L I V E I R A O V I R
The Academy Award-winning “The Shape of Water” filmmaker is the creative force behind this eight episode anthology series that endeavors to challenge traditional notions of horror with tales with themes ranging from macabre and magical to gothic, grotesque and classically creepy. Geena Davis, Nia Vardalos, F. Murray Abraham and Andrew Lincoln are among those appearing. (ORIGINAL)
“Movie: The Good Nurse” Tobias Lindholm (“A War”) directed this thriller that stars Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”) as Amy, an overtaxed nurse who risks her life to investigate a string of patient deaths in which her trusted colleague Charlie (Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”) is implicated. Nnamdi Asomugha, Kim Dickens and Malik Yoba also star. (ORIGINAL)
Based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, this war drama from director Edward Berger (“Jack”) follows Paul (newcomer Felix Kammerer), a young German soldier on the western front of World War I who experiences how the initial euphoria of war turns into desperation and fear as he and his comrades fight for their lives. Daniel Bruhl also stars. (ORIGINAL)
From Canada and the creative forces behind “Blown Away” comes this 10 episode, 40 minute competition series that challenges talented mixologists to shake, pour and stir as they take their liquid art to the next level to create fresh takes on classic cocktails. Comedian Tone Bell is the host.
(ORIGINAL)
From Lucasfilm Animation comes this series of shorts that delves into the background and origin of Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, as well as the story of Count Dooku as he drifts away from the path of the Jedi and eventually succumbs to the dark side of the Force. (ORIGINAL)
From the makers of “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” and “Sofia the First” comes this animated series that follows a young girl inventor as she comes up with contraptions that hopefully make the world a better place and move her prehistoric community into a more modern era. Ruth Righi, Kai Zen and Fred Tatasciore head the voice cast.
Thanks,
Greatest.
The sophomore round of this adventure series sees Mr. Benedict’s young recruits heading off on a trek across Europe after Benedict and Number Two are kidnapped. Tony Hale returns in the dual role of Benedict and his less-thanvirtuous twin brother L.D. Curtain, alongside Kristen Schaal as Number Two and Mystic Inscho, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira and Marta Kessler. (ORIGINAL)
From Japan comes this dramedy series that follows Ryota (Shoyuki Hayama, “After the Storm”), a college senior who is told by a professor that he can graduate on the condition that he joins the school’s moribund sumo club, endures its strict training regimen and recruits new members. (ORIGINAL)
Sure, it offers one of the most enduring romantic teamings of superstars in screen history ... but look beyond that, and “The Way We Were” also has much to say about the times in which it’s set. That’s why Turner Classic Movies is showing the Sydney Pollackdirected 1973 drama as part of the final night of its series commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Hollywood blacklist Thursday, Oct. 27.
Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford are paired memorably as 1930s college classmates – never mind that they look like they’re long past their school days – who become romantically involved later. They eventually go to Hollywood, where Redford’s Hubbell becomes a screenwriter while talents are being investigated for alleged communist activities. A long-rumored sequel never materialized, but “The Way We Were” remains just fine the way it is.
“Ghostbusters” (Freeform, Sunday, Oct. 23, and Thursday, Oct. 27): Especially at this time of year, who ya gonna call? Oh, come on, you know. Director Ivan Reitman’s original 1984 horror-comedy remains a classic, thanks in no small part to the good cheer among title stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis (also the film’s co-writer) and Ernie Hudson as they try to keep New York, and one apartment building in particular, safe from specters. Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis also star.
“Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (MeTV, Sunday, Oct. 23): As path of the channel’s Halloween-centric month, the anthology series fronted by suspense-master filmmaker Hitchcock gets a 10-episode marathon. First up is “The Greatest Monster of Them All,” a knowingly winking homage to creature features with Richard Hale as an actor (allegedly modeled on screen “Dracula” Bela Lugosi) who’s striving for a comeback. The teleplay is by Robert Bloch, who had just done the “Psycho” screenplay for Hitchcock.
Barbra Streisand and Robert RedfordV E E A M W G N I S Y I C H A
A H K E C Q S H E N D E A P M R E A S X O S Q U P Z G F W A P W T H E D F M D S I O B N R O C E L U O B V T N B I E Y S W V N R L E D I V A R L N P O H E D I R A C N U O I R E Y N I E X T A K Y S R R L G D E D L R W S Y N C P A L V T I C U E O K U T A H S A D J S C H A A L I G V A L G T F Z R T E V M L V E N Q S B N C U O G R K M N N S O K I D N A P P E D S U G M J E C V M J R T X T Z L E D E O L I V E I R A O V I R
In the story, Matilda is able to move objects with her mind, turning over a pitcher with a newt in rebellion against Trunchbull. Her telekinesis also means some on-stage trickery to bring this to life.
“I’ve never really done some thing that has a lot of special effects and is really colorful and vibrant,” Harting said. “School plays are a different kind of play.”
The set, with some pieces rented from Anderson School outside Bozeman, includes words like “revolting” and “maggots” spelled out among the Scrabble-like tiles on the walls surrounding the Dulcie Theatre stage. Books and blocks become stairs and desks for Crunchem Hall students, who will be clad in uniforms bearing the school crest.
The musical version of “Matilda” has become nearly as beloved as the book and the 1996 film starring Danny DeVito. It has garnered con tinuing praise, winning seven 2012 Olivier Awards for its production in London’s West End and five 2013 Tony awards for the Broadway ad aptation in the U.S. The show ran on Broadway for nearly four years. In London, “Matilda” celebrated its 10th anniversary on the West End last year. Netflix released a trailer for “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” last week. It is slated to begin streaming on Dec. 25.
“Matilda” was announced as part of the Shane Center’s 20192020 season, but never made it to stage.
“COVID happened,” said executive director Erika Adams. “So, we’re really excited to get to share this incredible show with the community.”
With a cast of 43, similar in size to the Broadway production, “Matilda” is the largest show at the Shane in years. According to Adams, the cast ranges in age from 10 to over 70 and includes multiple sets of family members — parents and their children and a pair of sisters.
“It’s great to have new faces on the stage and in our theater com munity,” Adams said.
Buck is among them. Though
new to the Livingston stage, she is no stranger to the theater and has been acting since the age of 6.
Though she has taken on roles such as Maria in “The Sound of Music” and Guenevere in “Camelot,” Buck
said she has been waiting for her chance to take on the role of Miss Honey for years.
“I kept missing it,” she said. “She’s just right up my alley. I love how compassionate and kind
she is.”
Then, the mother of four and her family moved to Montana to be closer to her husband’s par ents. Buck was frequenting area theater websites when she saw an
announcement for “Bonnie and Clyde,” which was at the Shane Center in spring 2022. It caught Buck’s eye, she said, because the musical is one of her Top 5. So she dug deeper into the site and found an announcement for “Matilda.” Finally, she had a chance at playing Miss Honey.
Buck said she identifies with the character, who struggles with being assertive and takes inspiration from Matilda’s courage.
“Watching the little girl stand up to people and be able to take control” in the classroom makes Miss Honey take more control of her own life, Buck said. “Your cards are not set. You can make your life what you want it to be.”
1) Some fans swear that the trade of what star forward cursed the now-Brooklyn Nets into a 46-year-and-counting titleless streak?
2) The Curse of the Bambino, brought about by the trade of Babe Ruth, allegedly afflicted what team?
3) What traded quarterback supposedly cursed the Detroit Lions into decades of futility with a remark he was rumored to have made to a reporter?
4) This curse had it that if you lose to this team during the regular season, then you won’t win the Super Bowl. Name the curse.
5) Legend has it that a Greek immigrant cursed this franchise after he wasn’t allowed to bring his billy goat to a 1945 World Series game. Name the team.
6) Some attribute what team’s lack of a championship dating back to 1954 to the Curse of Coogan’s Bluff?
7) Until 2016, this city hadn’t seen a pro sports title since 1964, giving rise to talk of a curse. Name the city.
Cleveland
6)TheSanFranciscoGiants,which usedtoplayinNewYorkatthePolo Grounds,nearCoogan’sBluffand havewontheWorldSeriesin2010, 2012&2014
5)TheChicagoCubs,whowonthe WorldSeriesin2016
4)TheCurseofTampaBay,homeof theBuccaneers
3)BobbyLayne,whoisrumoredto havesaidtheteamwouldn’twinfor 50yearsfollowinghis1958trade
2)TheBostonRedSox,whoended thecursein2004
1)JuliusErving
BY GEORGE DICKIE
Admittedly it’s a small sample size, but early indications are that Lamar Jackson may be having a year even better than his MVP season of 2019.
Indeed, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback is once again showing opposing defenses no mercy. Through the season’s first three games, the fifth year signal caller is leading the NFL in passer rating with 119, connecting on 56 of 88 passes (a 63.6 completion percentage) for 749 yards and a leagueleading 10 touchdowns against only two interceptions.
And as a runner, he’s arguably been even better, tied for fifth in the league in rushing yards with 243 on only 26 carries for an astounding 9.3 yards per carry. He also has two touchdowns on the ground, giving him 12 total. All-Pro stats, indeed.
But beyond the numbers, he’s made improvements to his game that don’t appear on paper. He’s gotten better at making on-the-fly adjustments when opposing teams blitz and he’s shown an ability to dominate when throwing from the pocket, two supposed weaknesses.
So good has his performance been this season that it’s drawn early comparisons to his MVP campaign of 2019, when he threw for 3,127 yards and league-leading 36 touchdowns and ran for another 1,206 (the all-time record for a QB) and 7.
Of course, that season ended in the Ravens’ first round exit from the postseason, something they hope to improve upon in 2022.
Jackson and the Ravens can be seen in action on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Oct. 27, in a game streaming on Prime Video.
BIRTH DATE: Jan. 7, 1997
BIRTH PLACE: Pompano Beach, Fla.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6 feet 2 inches/230 pounds
POSITION: Quarterback
NO.: 8
COLLEGE: Louisville
DRAFT: Selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft (32nd overall) by the Ravens HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Unanimous NFL MVP (2019); First-Team All-
Pro (2019); Pro Bowl selection (2019, 2021); NFL passing touchdowns leader (2019); Heisman Trophy (2016); AP College Football Player of the Year (2016); Sporting News Player of the Year (2016); unanimous All-American (2016)