Poor Tommy Walker.
The son of a World War II veteran, witness to an unspeakable murder, victim of an unusual medical condition and eventually reluctant popular cult figure, Tommy leads an unorthodox life that could only be told through music.
More specifically, the music of legendary British rock sensation, The Who.
“The Who’s Tommy,” brought to life by Burien Little Theatre, is a musical play based on The Who’s 1969 rock album, “Tommy.” Directed by Steve Cooper with musical direction by Ann Sager, BLT’s latest production is a frenetic rock opera that explores identity, social manipulation and the dangers of celebrity in front of the backdrop of the political upheaval of the 1960s.
Young Tommy (Dylan Zucati) was born to a young mother (Roxanne DeVito). His father, Capt. Walker (Justin Carrel), is sent off to serve his country in the Second World War. Captured and imprisoned in a POW camp, Tommy’s father is presumed dead, which leads his mother to take on a lover. But matters become complicated when the Allies win and Capt.
Walker returns home to see his wife has moved on without him.
Young Tommy witnesses a violent struggle but turns away and stares at a mirror in hopes he can hide from the horrors of what is about to happen.
Mrs. Walker’s lover is eventually murdered; a traumatic event that begins Tommy’s downward spiral into a harrowing psychological freeze where he is struck “deaf, dumb and blind.”
When Capt. Walker is tried for murder and is found not guilty on grounds of self-defense, Tommy’s lack of emotion at the trial signals the young boy has officially sunk into his own remote inner world.
“The Who’s Tommy” is told through the eyes of older Tommy (Bobby Barnts), whose strong vocals electrifies the stage whenever he is present. Isolated from society, Tommy’s parents take him to numerous doctor visits to discover what is wrong with him. Everyone around him eventually gives up when nothing seems to work.
Along the way Tommy is victim to several unfortunate encounters with his creepy drunken Uncle Ernie (Russ Kay), his sadistic cousin Kevin (Jason Pead) and a hippie prostitute named Acid Queen (Michelle Flowers).
But one fateful day Kevin takes Tommy to a local arcade where he tries his hand at pinball. Upon discovering that this “deaf, dumb and blind kid” is actually a “Pinball Wizard,” this miraculous discovery sets off a chain of events where he becomes a national sensation with an almost
Messianic cult celebrity following.
The show reflects our society’s obsession with celebrities and our tendency to make famous people into something they are not. The strong ensemble includes Corey Lynn Atencio, Tyler Below, Susan Echols-Orton, Brock Madden, Kendra Pierce, Sara Schweid, Laura York and Lance Zielinski.
“The Who’s Tommy” was written by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff with additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. BLT’s rendition includes a live band led by Sager on keyboards, Darren Olson on bass guitar, Nick Hagen on drums and Theron Andrews on guitar.
The band is rocking out almost the entire time, playing songs including the aforementioned “Pinball Wizard,” “It’s a Boy,” “The Acid Queen,” “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me” and others.
“The Who’s Tommy” runs from Feb. 17 to March 25, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For ticket information visit www.burienlittletheatre.org or call 206-242-5180. The production is playing at the Burien Community Center Annex, 14501 4th Ave. S.W.
