The Who's Tommy
Goodman has another hit! The Who's Tommy is a must-see! It's a stunning performance that will surely receive Tony nominations in several categories. The Who's Tommy rock concept is a dark narrative rock musical based on the 1969 rock opera that tells the story of Tommy Walker. Spanning back to 1940 London during WWII, the unborn Tommy's father, Captain Walker, is captured and presumed a tragedy of war. Officers arrive at the home of Mrs. Walker with a letter informing of his disappearance and presumed death; however, after the war's end, Captain Walker is a released POW and returns home to 22 Heathfield Gardens to see his wife with her new lover, who Walker fatally shoots after a struggle. The courts find him innocent, but the tragic event of witnessing his father murder the only man he knows as a father through a mirror traumatically alters Tommy's speaking ability, forcing him into a life of silence ("deaf, dumb, and blind"), where he obsessively stares into the mirror. Although considered, he lost cause; Tommy would internally respond to sounds and mimic them physically through movement. His freedom came with a pinball machine and his mother's final attempts to reach him.
Tommy Walker's role is brilliantly portrayed by Ali Louis Bourzgui, whose roll and rock appearance was faultless, and his singing was spectacular. Adam Jacobs(Captain Walker) and Alison Luff (Mrs. Walker), Tommy's parents, were excellent. Joining them are John Ambrosino as Uncle Ernie; Bobby Conte as Cousin Kevin; and Christina Sajous as the Acid Queen, who looked more like Tina Turner and sang better than any recent performers from the Tina Turner musical. But the best performers on stage go to Presley Rose Jones (Tommy age 4) and Annabel Finch (Tommy age 10) — the two incredible girls who played Tommy. The Who's musical from the book by Pete Townshend, who also wrote the music and lyrics, with director and book writer Des McAnuff is one of the best I've seen, with less narrative than music, but it works. The play deals with the psychological trauma we face from violence, sexual abuse, denial, the environmental misfortunes of the mental handicap, and our lack of understanding and providing appropriate cures. We may never know or apprehend how Tommy escaped the powers that held him captured and what actually freed them. Scientists are confounded by the brain's ability to snap back with the amazing ability to change and heal itself. Still, the violence against Sally Simpson and seeing people turn against him for not living up to their expectations opened his mind to humanity's brutality. A cast of 29 and a nine-piece band directed by Rick Fox perform iconic songs like "I'm Free, See Me, Feel Me." The unforgettable Pinball Wizard, combined with the choreography of Lorin Latarro and set design of David Korins' mind-blowing projections by Peter Nigrini, sound by Gareth Owen, Sarafina Bush (Custome), Amanda Zieve (Lighting), and the list goes on —made this production a multiple Tony award winner in my book.
4 Stars ****
Let's Play Theatrical Review
THE WHO'S TOMMY THE MUSICAL
Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff
Directed by Des McAnuff
June 13-July 23 August 6th
