THE WHO’S toMMY

a ReVIeW By kai el’ Zabar editor-in-chief

Townshend

The Goodman’s production of the groundbreaking pop-culture musical sensation is reimagined in a fresh new production by the creative force of these times of technical advancement and the spirit of ‘all is possible. The set design by David Korins and choreography by Lorin Latarro is simply magnificent, while all the other pieces like lighting, projector design and sound all come together in a modern and jazzy feel, landing the audience right in the center of now even though the story takes place in a historical moment in history not too long ago and transcends.

With all that and great acting, singing, and dancing what do you get? Why a genius balance of folklore and the striking performance in a fresh revitalized presentation of The Who’s exhilarating 1969 rock concept album, Tommy—including the unforgettable anthems “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me,” “Sensation” and “Pinball Wizard.” The most important thing is that the message doesn’t lose its powerful jolt on the audience about the influence parental responsibilities have on children, no matter how well intended, can have on their overall health and well-being when the weight of the burden is too great for a child’s mind.

After witnessing his recently returned father, whom he had never met, shoot the man he had known since birth, the young Tommy Walker becomes lost in the universe of his mind, endlessly seeking an escape from the reality of the world within which he lives physically every day. He also doesn’t seem to see, talk or seem or hear. Yet, we observe Tommy obsessively staring into the mirror seeing an older version of himself who also talks to him. ( Tommy is played by four, actors, but its his older version played by Ali Louis Bourzui who brings Tommy to life in a big way.)

All this puzzles his parents who seek numerous methods from psychologist to voodoo in attempt to heal him and or correct what has happened make Tommy so distant and removed from life as they experience it. I’d be remiss is I fail to mention the super charged high energy role of the Acid Queen played by Christina Sajous, originally portrayed by the now deceased super star Tina Turner that brings a whole other level of consciousness to the play.

Just as they think that nothing can be done and are ready to send him away Tommy shows some semblance of being on the planet when he’s out with a male cousin and friends that it is discovered that he has an innate knack for pinball. That one act catapults him from an uncommunicative adolescent to celebrated redeemer.

Other things happen that lead to his new future and from that point on its all about Tommy finding himself in a world in which he’s been uninvolved with for so long. His newfound status comes with expectations and his following want from him what he is not willing to give. The story is about living one’s own truth no matter the confrontations you face and or the expectations of others. We must all seek our own truth and live it.

It feels good to write that Tony Award-winning composer Pete Townshend and Tony Award-winning original director Des McAnuff do not disappoint, but rather transform the perspective on what was always a powerful look at life. Their reexamination of this iconic story is a masterpiece in how to inject new life into the old and make it relevant today.

Fortunately for you the play has been EXTENDED FOR THE SECOND TIME THROUGH AUGUST 6!

Questions? Please contact 312.443.3800 (voice), 312.443.3829 (TTY/TDD) or email Access@ GoodmanTheatre.org.

The production has also announced that a popup pinball arcade will be featured inside of the theatre, free for audience members to play for 90 minutes prior to showtime and for 60 minutes following each performance. The highest score at the end of the run will win a custom Tommy Fender Stratocaster signed by Pete Townshend of The Who. For information on how to submit your score, visit here.