Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Bristol Theatre Company’s latest show is the Who’s rock opera “Tommy” with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend and book by Townshend and Des McAnuff. Originally written as a concept album in 1969 and the movie in 1975, it was adapted into a stage play in the 1993 and ran on Broadway for almost 900 performances. The story is about Tommy, who as a four year old child witnesses his father kill his mother’s lover in self defense. As he stared at the mirror when this happened, he became deaf, dumb and blind. His parents search for a cure for many years and Tommy finds the one thing that he’s good at is pinball. When his upset mother finally smashes the mirror, Tommy recovers. Now famous for both becoming a pinball wizard and being cured, Tommy gets caught up in his fame, but when he returns, his fans turn on him. However instead of going back, to what he was before, Tommy turns to his family. This high energy show is beautifully executed, wins a standing ovation and it captivates the audience in while weaving a spell with fabulous singing, acting and dancing.
Director Greg Geer casts marvelous performers in these roles, brings out the best in them and moves them around the stage with ease. Sets the scene with year and place and casts all three Tommy’s splendidly. Musical director Alex Tirrell delivers the goods not only conducting but playing lead keyboard, too. He does a terrific job with the six piece orchestra and vocalists. The harmonies and vocal prowess is superb whether doing solos or ensemble numbers. Choreographer Diane Capagna keeps the cast in constant motion whether they are doing a 1940’s style dance or the pinball jazz dance segment. Diane gives the dancers the best moves so the audience can savor the visual effects of the choreography. The costumes are by Abbie Jo Francis while the set is by Joe O’Dea and the superb lighting is by Dean Palmer Jr..
There are three performers playing Tommy from 1945 to 1963. All of them are dressed in white to show Tommy’s innocence while he is being physically and mentally abused by the cruel and cold world. The first act of the show lets you see what’s going on with Tommy while the second act gives the audience time to understand it. 7 year old Logan Cabral plays Tommy as a four year old who witnesses the murder and becomes catatonic. Logan handles this challenging role like a pro and makes the most of the stage time. Logan’s catatonic state is topnotch. The second Tommy is played excellently by Myles Napolitano at age 10. He is 11 years old and remains in a catatonic state for almost the whole first act. The character is diddled with by his Uncle Ernie, tortured by and thrown into a garbage can by his cousin Kevin and friends as well as prodded and poked by numerous doctors and nurse. Myles doesn’t flinch while this is going on, giving a strong portrayal while doing so. He also displays a strong singing voice.
The 18 year old Tommy is played excellently by Mike Daniels. He portrays this tortured creature, infusing him with an energy and pathos that captures your heart. His brilliant portrayal makes you empathizes with his plight. Mike sings as the Narrator/Tommy looking back on his tragic life in “Amazing Journey” and in “See Me, Feel Me.” His voice soars in these numbers and in “Sensation” when he plays pinball for the first time, in “I’m Free” where he finally speaks after 14 years and in “Welcome”, one of the prettiest ballads, where he invites his fans to his home after his miraculous cure. When the fans reject him, Tommy realizes that his family is really what’s important to him not the fake adoration of the fans. The final tableau of the 3 Tommy performers is a tear jerking, poignant moment and all of the performers deserve a round of applause for tackling this very difficult role.
All of the supporting performers do marvelous work in their roles, too. Julian Trilling and Kevin Silva play Tommy’s mother and father. They both display their fantastic voices in their numbers including “What About the Boy” and “I Believe My Own Eyes”, an emotional and poignant ballad that brings tears to your eyes. Mark Carter plays the villainous, Uncle Ernie who molests Tommy in the song “Fiddle About” with the innuendo there because what might have been suitable in the 1975 movie is absolutely not suitable and is taboo in 2018. The character is played tongue in cheek as a drunken buffoon. He has a lighter song and dance in Act 2 called “Tommy’s Holiday Camp” where he tries to sell passes to see Tommy after his cure. Zachary Smallwood is the high energy, Cousin Kevin who mocks Tommy as a youth and later on helps him find fame as a “Pinball Wizard” song with the ensemble. Zachary uses his terrific tenor voice in this number as does Taylor Vogel and Dylan Soares. Zachary also leads the chorus in “Tommy Can You Hear Me? with fantastic harmony in it. The sexy and slutty gypsy that Captain Walker procures to help cure Tommy is played with great sensuality by Katie Silva. She is a sexy gal with a fabulous voice who sings “Acid Queen” which stops the show. Fortunately Captain Walker comes to his senses and removes 10 year old Tommy from her clutches. The many choral and dance numbers shine, too. So for a fantastic rendition of “Tommy”, be sure to catch it at Bristol Theatre Company before time runs out. Tell them Tony sent you.
TOMMY (9 to 18 November)
Bristol Theatre Company, Reynolds Arts and Wellness Center, 235 High Street, Bristol, RI
