The Who's Tommy
Up front disclosure: I am not a child of the sixties and
seventies, nor am I a fan of the ear-splitting music of that period.
However (long pregnant pause), the quality of the Chance Theater's
production of "The Who's Tommy" was so outstanding, it completely
blew me away!
Written in 1992 by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, and based on
"The Who's" 1969 concept album of the same name, this innovative
rock musical rocked the rafters out of the small space The Chance
calls home.
Never say "it can't be done" to director Oanh Nguyen. For the
past ten years, Oanh and his superb theatrical troupe have taken
"the chance" to create one miracle after another in their Anaheim
Hills outpost. And now they've done it again.
The opening alone is worth the trip to La Palma Avenue. Thanks
to the loan of advanced theatrical lighting from Disneyland and
Elation, KC Wilkerson (light designer extraordinaire) was able to
create special effects and video projections that set the scene for
the drama to come. Reminiscent of old silent movies, not a word is
spoken while the back-story of "Tommy" is projected on stage.
Then through the thunderous roar of five live musicians on stage
(with Mike Wilkins at the keyboard and Stephen Musselman on guitar),
an incredible ensemble rocks out the painful saga from 1941 through
the seventies.
When we first meet Tommy he's four years old (Cameron McIntyre),
then soon he's ten (Seth Dusky), before the plot turns him into an
adult cult musician. Mark Bartlett is absolutely mesmerizing as
the blind, catatonic guitarist who could hear nothing, see nothing,
feel nothing, until he found the rock beat.
With an 18-member cast, it's impossible to give credit to
everyone who deserves it. So kudos to the entire ensemble while we
mention that Wendi Ann Hammock plays Tommy's mother; Kevin Cordova
is his father; and Beach Vickers portrays his debauched Uncle Ernie.
You can't move that many people around on a small stage without
choreography (Allison Bibicoff); nor can you present them without
costumes (Erika Miller); not to mention the requisite sound design
of Casey Long, a multi-talented, long-time Chance member.
At least half the audience will know the lyrics of such hits as
"Pinball Wizard," "See Me, Feel Me," and "Acid Queen"; but even
those who don't will be swept away by their power.
After the overwhelming response to last year's production of
"Hair," and the current production of "Tommy," who knows what The
Chance will tackle next. Meanwhile, you have until mid-August to
get rocked out of your seats.
"Tommy" plays at The Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave.,
Anaheim Hills, on Fri at 8:00; Sat at 3:00 and 8:00; and Sun. at
2:00 and 7:00. Call (714) 777-3033 or on line www.chancetheater.com