The Who, which was
inducted into Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, is noted as one
of the holy trinity of British Rock.
They, along with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, are credited with
making rock a legitimate musical movement.
Founded in the 60s, the
group had 27 top singles in the UK and US, 17 top ten albums and were gold,
platinum and multi-platinum award winners.
Besides the group’s fame
as performers, Pete Townshend, the guitarist and songwriter for the group, is
responsible for developing the book, music and lyrics for TOMMY, a 1969 double
album rock opera. He was joined in
developing the book by Des McAnuff.
The album was transformed
into a stage play which opened on Broadway in 1993 and ran a very creditable
899 performances. A remarkable
staging of TOMMY is now on stage at The Stratford Festival.
TOMMY tells the tale of a
young boy who loses his sight, hearing and speech after witnessing a murder,
being raped, and bullied.
The story starts in
1940 when Tommy’s father and mother meet in London, fall in love, and get
married. Captain Walker goes off
to war, and is shot down over Germany.
He is captured and imprisoned.
Thinking her husband is dead, Mrs. Walker, a new mother, moves on with
her life. In 1945 the Captain is
freed, and returns home to find his wife with a new lover. A fight ensues
between the two men. Four-year old
Tommy, trying to avoid seeing the battle, turns to a mirror to avoid witnessing
his father shoot his mother’s boyfriend.
The mirror symbolically absorbs and stymies his emotional growth.
Traumatized Tommy is
then molested by his Uncle Ernie and his problems are further developed when
his cousin Kevin, a sadist, bullies and abuses the boy. Kevin, as a lark, takes Tommy to
a youth club where blind Tommy astounds everyone by displaying pinball
wizardry, becomes known as The
Pinball Wizard, and through the attention and self-awareness he miraculously
gains back all his senses, but he is still fragmented, unable to emotionally
cope.
His recovery makes him
into a “semi-god,” with a cult of followers. He eventually becomes disenchanted with his fame and returns
to his family, ultimately smashing the mirror, and becoming whole again as his
4-year-old, 10-year-old and adult-self meld together.
The musical’s score is
outstanding. Highlight selections
include “See Me, Feel Me,” “Sensation,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Go to the Mirror,”
“I’m Free,” and “Listening to You.”
Stratford’s production,
under the creative direction of Des McAnuff, is, as one of the song titles
states, an “Amazing Journey.” The
cast, choreography, and musical accompaniment are astounding. It’s impossible to watch this show
passively. Every aspect grabs and
holds the attention. Even those
who may not like rock music, should find this to their liking as the sound
doesn’t drown out the singing, but underscores it.
The production creatively
illustrates how the newer technologies can be used to enhance the visual
aspects of staging. The videos and
images took this show to a new and exciting dimension.
Robert Markus, as the
older Tommy, has a strong singing voice, which he uses to create the right
images by singing meanings, not just words. He is totally believable in both the blind and seeing
scenes. He is ably supported by a strong cast which has high level
dancing and singing skills.
Outstanding are Paul
Nolan as the smarmy Cousin Kevin, Jeremy Kushnier as Captain Walker, understudy
Robin Hutton as Mrs. Walker, and Steve Ross as Uncle Ernie. Conor Bergauer and Arden Couturier, as
the younger Tommys, displayed strong stage presence and were convincing in
their characterizations.
Capsule judgement: Stratford’s production of The Who’s TOMMY is
outstanding. The music, staging
and performances command the audience to watch and wraps them in a theatrical
experience that they will long remember, creating an “Amazing Journey.” Wow!
TOMMY runs through
October 19, 2013 at the Stratford Festival. Tickets are limited due to strong demand. For information call or go to: 800-567-1600 or go on-line to http://www.stratfordfestival.ca
