” The Who’s Tommy”

***** There are many people familiar with the sound of a song from “The Who’s Tommy”, a masterpiece of the story meets opera written by Pete Townshend (music & lyrics) and Des McAnuff ( who also directed this particular production)and Townshend. The song they all know “Pinball Wizard”. While this particular song is amazing and the production scene itself, now on the stage at The Goodman Theatre is a powerful one, there is a great deal more to the music and the story of Tommy ( this role is played to perfection by Ali Louis Bourzgui and also two young performers as age 4 (Presley Rose Jones and Ava Rose Doty) and at age 10 Annabel Finch and Ezekiel Ruiz). The kids were amazing as they are tossed around the stage in some dance numbers that are almost ballet. Choreographer Lorin Latarro has an interpretation as I have never seen before, and one that drew my breath away more than twice.

Those of you who know me are aware that I say “you may say you have seen a play or production BUT , doesn’t mean you have seen it as the next director sees it” Yes, a different interpretation on a different stage with different actors can seem like you are seeing a new or different show. Paramount Theatre in Aurora did a remarkable job with their production of this Rock Opera that is seldom taken on by a theater company, but Jane, who kept saying “We have seen “Tommy” turned to me at intermission and said “This is not what we saw last time. Did they rewrite the show?” They redirected the show and modified it to fit the stage at The Goodman and they allowed the director and choreographer to do their thing, and what they created is a masterpiece.

“Tommy” came alive as a challenge by Pete Townshend. The idea was to create a Rock Album allowing a listener to sit through the myriad of songs and from them absorb a story with a beginning, middle, and end. This was prior to “Rent” becoming known as a Rock Opera and opened in San Diego and then on Broadway. “Tommy” is a story about a family that is unhappy, has faced violence and a young boy who is traumatized. Young Tommy is deaf, dumb and blind. His parents, unsure of what can be done to help him try all they can and are ready to ship him off to a sanitarium when it is discovered that he is in fact a “Pinball Wizard” and can feel in a way that is unique. His world was different than those around him. While others have desires to escape from the world we live in today, Tommy sees no future in the mirror but feels his own sense of who he is and because of this becomes a hero.

When the mirror crashes, he becomes a different person. One that hears and sees and he becomes a hero to all around him that have been seeking someone to idolize. While he had thought this change would be positive, he finds out that it is just as dangerous to be in this position as it was to be in his previous lifestyle. While the play deals with abuse and subjects that most would never associate with a musical, this story works and this production is one that you should put on your MUST SEE list! Yes, if you can only see one production this summer, make it be this one. I am pretty sure that this will be Jeff recommended, and probably in more than a few categories.

The ensemble makes this production work well enough that the entire audience was on its feet applauding before the final song was over. They are as follows:Alison Luff ( Mrs. Walker), Adam Jacobs (Captain Walker),Gabriel Kearns, Mark Mitrano, John Ambrosino, Stephen Brower, Alexandra matteo,Lily Kren, Morgan McGhee, Jenna Nicole Schoen, Daniel Quadrino, Jeremiah Alsop, Aliah James, Nathan Lucrezio, Sheldon Henry, Bobby Conte, Christina Sajous, Haley Gustafson, Tassy Kirbas, Zach Sorrow, Reagen Pender and Ayana Strutz- Great work, one and all.

The orchestra under the leadership of Rick Fox is powerful with 9 players filling the theater with the vibrant sounds created by Townsend.

The set (David Korins) is quite simple allowing for ease of scene changes and keeping the flow of the story on pace with the music. Sarafina Bush handled the costumes and the lighting (Amanda Zieve) is unique and again works with the action and the music as does the sound (Gareth Owen). Peter Nigrini’s projection designs also worked to make this a very special work and the special flying effects by ZFX,Inc were very special indeed. If cat one might say that this is a very special production and Chicago is very lucky that the Goodman rolled out the red carpet for bringing it here. This is probably the best show we will see in Chicago, no matter how old ( or young you are). Yes, this is music of the 1960’s and it works today just as well ( perhaps, even better).

“The Who’s Tommy” will continue thru August 6th with performances as follows:

Wednesdays 7:30pm

Thursdays 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Fridays 8:00pm

Saturdays 2:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays 2:00pm & 7:30 p.m.

Stage: Albert Theatre

Show Type: Musical

Box Office: 312-443-3800www.goodmantheatre.org

The Goodman is located at 170 N. Dearborn Street with easy access and dining is available next door at Petterino’s

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Who’s Tommy”.