Review: Tommy

Rock opera still resonates

By Byron Toben

Suppose you were a potential theatre backer and the promoter came to you with this conversation: What’s it about? Well, this little kid goes blind and mute after witnessing his parents killing his mother’s lover. Then he is bullied and sexually abused by others. Somehow, he becomes a pinball wizard, especially after his mother breaks a mirror, and turns into a teeny bopper idol.

Would you throw him/her out of the office? I would have, but then I turned down a chance to get in on Hairspray, so what do I know?

What I do know is that the British rock band The Who (famous for destroying guitars on stage) recorded a double album of Tommy which morphed into a Broadway and London hit, garnered a fistfull of Tonys and really hit the big money after Ken Russell (England’s Fellini*) produced the 1975 film with big name actors and singers. That this show still resonates with staying power was proven when Noelle Hannibal’s In The Wings Promotions organized a three-night dynamite The Who’s Tommy In Concert at the Rialto Hall.

Normally seated concert versions are somewhat static, but here director Nadia Verrucci orchestrated lots of on and off stage movement, generating a full-scale visualization in the audience’s mind.

The talented cast of 14 depicted 23 roles. I was pleased to see that Travis Martin had auditioned and won the lead role of Tommy, which he carried out superbly. (Disclaimer: Mr Martin, as a playwright, had received honourable mention in the Montreal Noir script contest I had organized in 2010).

Ms. Hannibal herself played his mother and Jason Howell his war hero father. Little Emma Sabbah managed to handle the role of young Tommy with aplomb.

Normally seated concert versions are somewhat static, but here director Nadia Verrucci orchestrated lots of on and off stage movement, generating a full-scale visualization in the audience’s mind.

Top-notch musical director Ian Baird played keyboard and, with Dominic Caterina on guitar and Sebastian Balk-Forcione on drums, delivered the throbbing score effectively.

The songs were well known to many in the audience, as befits a show that has garnered a bit of a cult following à la Grease, Jesus Christ Super Star or even Rocky Horror. Pinball Wizard is of course performed, as well as Tommy, Can You Hear Me?, See Me, Feel Me, Welcome, I’m Free and many others on Tommy’s Amazing Journey.

Last April, In The Wings had also performed a highlights concert version of Chess. Keep your eyes peeled for anything else it may offer. Ms. Hannibal also presides at the Segal Centre’s occasional Broadway Café showcase.

* Mr Russell preferred to call Fellini Italy’s Ken Russell.

The Who’s Tommy in Concert ran at the Rialto Hall November 19-21.

UPDATE: reprisal show Saturday November 28.
Tickets at RIALTO 514 770-7773 or TICKETPRO 514-790-1111