It’s amusing to think that most of the performers in the Stratford Festival’s production of Tommy weren’t born when the double-album first came out in 1969. But that has no bearing on the show. It’s stellar and it surpasses any attempt at staging Pete Townshend’s rock opera I’ve seen before – and there have been a few.
Tommy was written for the stage but for most of us it’s been either the fourth record released by The Who or a mediocre movie from 1975. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its historical significance as the first rock opera. We all know and love songs like Pinball Wizard, See Me, Feel Me and I’m Free, but the record doesn’t weave the complete story that can be told on the stage.
What they’ve done at Stratford is marvelous. The use of film, small corner screens and even streaming video as it’s shot live on stage are a welcome assault on the senses, all wrapped up in an exceptional orchestra and excellent performances. So often when I’ve experienced an orchestral production of rock music, there’s a huge flaw. The musicians play the piece without the timing and passion of the original. They get the notes right but it doesn’t have the soul. Not so at the Avon Theatre. The music was flawless rock and roll. The singers, note perfect. The lead, Robert Markus who plays adult Tommy, is one of those young guys you know will go places. And two little guys who play Tommy at 4 and at 10 years old are so good! They don’t sing until the second half but when they do it goes right to your heart.
The audience at Sunday’s matinee was composed of all ages, proving how well this music endures. The kid next to me couldn’t have been more than 18, there on his own, charmingly under-dressed and very polite. There were lots of elderly folk and one man who escorted his father to the show had the biggest, roundest head I’ve ever seen. I decided this after trying to see around that big head for 2 hours. But even bowling-ball head couldn’t dampen my enjoyment of the show. It’s was thrilling. As we walked out of the theatre I turned to my beloved and said, “If we had the time, I’d want to come back tonight and see it again!” I think that’s a first. Tommy runs until October.
Sounds like another Broadway-bound Stratford production (like JC Superstar). We’re just so lucky in S. Ontario to see the best of the best, and if you missed last night’s NPH opener on the Tonys, you’ve GOT to catch it. I think it was the most talent packed into about 8 minutes I’ve ever seen!