Review: THE WHO'S TOMMY at the Warner Theatre

When the first electric chords of the Warner Stage Company's THE WHO'S Tommy Reverberate through the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT, the audience knows they are in for something different. And TOMMY delivers - it rocks, and deftly tackles the difficult task of bringing an iconic piece to life on the stage.

THE WHO'S TOMMY has been on quite a journey over the last 50 years. First as a concept album by The Who, then the memorable Ken Russell film that gave us a bold, acid-fueled view of the story (and not to mention Elton John in serious platform shoes), a reimagined concert tour in the eighties, then the hit Broadway musical shepherded by Des McAnuff in 1993.

The piece tells the story of little Tommy Walker, who after witnessing a singular violent act retreats into a world without sight, sound, or touch. His condition baffles his parents and leads them to explore treatment after treatment, becoming more and more desperate as the years go by. All along, the world is fascinated by the boy's condition - some with pity, others with less noble intentions. Eventually, Tommy breaks the bonds of his condition and is propelled into super-stardom, which is not without its own limitations. It is a weighty tale of internal struggle, of the power of words, of society's penchant for fascination (and sometimes obsession) with the miraculous, and how sometimes truth is not always what we see in the mirror. Underscoring Tommy's journey is the music of The Who, keeping the band rocking and the cast on their toes.

Speaking of the band, they are the real stars of this production THE WHO'S TOMMY. Featured prominently on a metal scaffold that fills the stage, the band, led by Music Director Dan Ringuette, gives everything they have as they move through each classic number by The Who. Their presence also serves as a strong set piece, constantly reminding the audience that what we are seeing is more rock concert than musical. As the narrator, Tommy, Noel Roberge shines. He handles each of his numbers with strength and skill, displaying a soaring tenor voice on some very difficult numbers. "Amazing Journey" and "I'm Free" are particularly memorable, and Mr. Roberge commands the stage as the focal point for the evening. As Tommy's parents, Adam Boe and Roxie Quinn both hold their own. The second act's "I Believe My Own Eyes" serves as the pinnacle of the evening for both and was extremely well done. The rest of the cast is strong as well. Josh Newey's Uncle Ernie is silly and sinister, Katie Chamberlain's Gypsy is raw and raucous, Peter Bard's Cousin Kevin is masterfully menacing, and Trevor Rinaldi and Brendan Harris (who play Tommy at age 10 and 4) provide a strong, yet mostly silent counterpoint to Mr. Roberge's narrator. The entire cast handles the frantic scene changes quite well, and, as always, seemed to be enjoying every moment of the evening.

The costumes, by Renee C. Purdy and Aurora Montenero, are excellent, starting with the WWII era clothing in the beginning of the show to the bright colors of the sixties by the end of the evening. Steve Houk's sets work very well, with fluid pieces that move quickly on and off for maximum effect. The pinball machines are particularly impressive and coupled with the lighting by LBC Lighting makes for a stimulating and exciting experience. Sharon A. Wilcox's direction (and choreography) truly shines in this piece. A rock opera like TOMMY is extremely difficult to stage, with quick scenes, transitions that have to carry the story forward without dialogue, and emotions that need to cut through bold rock pieces in subtle ways. Kudos to Ms. Wilcox for not just pulling this off but doing it with creativity and an energy that is visible in each moment on the stage.

Overall, the Warner Stage Company's production of THE WHO'S TOMMY is something you don't see every day. A surreal, visually stimulating and engaging rock opera, told by a strong cast with a score by music legends played with extreme skill by a top-notch band. And while the Warner Stage Company always puts on strong productions, this type of show is something that truly sets them apart (see my review of last season's ROCK OF AGES).

THE WHO'S TOMMY runs at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT. Performances are February 4, 10 and 11 at 8:00 pm and February 5 and 12 at 2:00 pm. To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.

Photo credits: Mandi Martini

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