9/19/2019 – West Side Leader
By David Ritchey
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| Tony Heffner (Tommy) is shown at center with the ensemble of Weathervane Playhouse’s production of “The Who’s Tommy.” |
| Photo: Dale Dong Photography |
MERRIMAN VALLEY — “The Who’s Tommy” has been presented on Broadway, toured the country, played in Cleveland and now is playing at Weathervane Playhouse through Sept. 29.
“Tommy,” a rock opera, is sung through, with no spoken lines. The script was written by Pete Townshend (music, lyric and book), Des McAnuff (book), with additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon.
The story deals with Tommy, who becomes deaf and blind after witnessing the accidental murder of his mother’s lover by his father. Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as he grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. Tommy’s parents, Captain Walker (Robert Kowalewski) and Mrs. Walker (Alexandra VanAllen) do everything possible to get his senses back.
As an adolescent, Tommy is discovered to be a talented pinball player and, when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.
Tommy is played by three actors — Young Tommy at age 4, Emily Sullivan; Tommy at age 10, Aiden Brueck; and adult Tommy, Tony Heffner.
Brueck and Sullivan are excellent in their silent roles. Heffner is memorable as he sings and dances his way through Tommy’s recovery and Tommy’s career as a pinball wizard.
Uncle Ernie (Patrick Dukeman) babysits Tommy so Tommy’s parents can have a night out. This is not the sort of man you want to stay with your child when you have a night out. In the second act, Dukeman sings “Tommy’s Holiday Camp,” a comic number with light bulbs shinning on Dukeman’s coat and a light bulb glowing under his hat. Dukeman is a favorite at Weathervane and this role will underline his popularity in the community theater.
Choreographer Joshua Larkin did an excellent job creating dances for the large cast of varying skills and training.
The six-piece orchestra overpowered the singers quite often in the first act. By the second act, the instrumentalists got control of the volume and supported the singers.
John Ebner (musical director and keyboard) led the instrumentalists, who included George Dean and Chandler Carpenter (guitars), Tonya Duus (electric wind instrument), John Chambers (bass) and Mick Shaull (drums).
Richard Morris Jr. (scenic designer/technical director) and Kathy Kohl (assistant technical director) created a visually interesting set, which worked well for the large cast and large dance sequences.
Costume Designer Jasen Smith designed about 150 costumes for “Tommy.” The costumes belong in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Director Fred Gloor created a world of music, science fiction and entertainment. He was fortunate to have a cast excited to be under his direction.
Weathervane officials advise that since the “The Who’s Tommy” contains strong language and sexual situations, it may not be suitable for young children.
For tickets, call 330-836-2626 or visit www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
David Ritchey has a Ph.D. in communications and is a professor emeritus of communications at The University of Akron. He is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and the Cleveland Critics Circle.