Date: Fri 01-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Illustration: C

Location: A13

Quick Words:

theatre-Gateway's-Tommy

Full Text:

(rev "The Who's `Tommy'" @Gateway's Candlewood, 11/1/96)

Theatre Review-

Gateway's Latest Is A Technical Wonder

(with photo)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

NEW FAIRFIELD - Wow!

The Who's rock opera Tommy has opened at Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse in a

production that is sure to lift you out of your seats.

All of the technological wonders that helped make the Broadway production of

Tommy a virtual phenomenon have come to Candlewood, where Tommy is being

staged through November 10.

Backing up the pulsating beat of the music are six 8x10-foot movie screens, 32

color television sets, 18 slide projectors with more than 1,000 computerized

slides, a dozen moving lights, a 1,500-pound motorized flying bridge,

four-channel surround-sound, and six massive computers which control the

lights, sound, slides and music. There are 300 costumes and specially mounted

scenery which is almost continually changing, noiselessly because of its

self-lubricating plastic casters.

Written in 1969 by the rock group The Who, Tommy originally was staged in the

United States only in a limited run at New York's Metropolitan Opera. A film

version, lacking the impact of a live production, was only a modest success.

But after Tommy opened on Broadway in 1992 in a high-tech production, it won

five Tony Awards (Best Score, Direction, Sets, Lighting and Choreography). It

also earned six Drama Desk Awards, and three Outer Critics Circle awards,

including Best Musical, plus a Grammy for its music.

Gateway's Producer John Hodge said not only is Tommy the largest production

Gateway's has ever put on, it is also one of the most technologically

ambitious shows Connecticut has ever seen.

"We knew that Tommy was the most technically challenging musical ever to hit

the Great White Way, and we loved replicating the look and sound here in New

Fairfield," he said.

Starring in the title role is Charles Dillon, who played the role in Germany

and throughout CAnada, and also appeared in the ABC-TV series "Lois and Clark:

The New Adventures of Superman."

There are actually three Tommys in the production: Dillon; the 10-year old

Tommy, played by Dean Morhmann; and four-year old Tommy, portrayed by Billy

Kay. The story, set in England in the years between World War II to the 1960s,

tells how the youngest Tommy was so traumatized by witnessing the shooting

death of his mother's lover at the hands of his father, he no longer spoke nor

appeared to see nor hear what was happening in the world around him.

Unresponsive to medical treatment, he comes to life only when his cousin -

played memorably by Steve Friday - places him at the controls of a pinball

machine. Tommy becomes a pinball wizard. Away from the machine, however, he

remains mute, his life seemingly trapped in a large mirror before which he

often stands transfixed.

Tommy is more than just this story, however. It also reflects what is common

to many of our lives - leaving home, having what you want in life, then

finding that what you thought you wanted so much is not what is really

important.

Staging the musical in New Fairfield required setting up equipment usually

used at rock shows. With its non-stop raw energy and theater-rocking sound,

Tommy is expected to draw a younger audience than usual. To capitalize on

this, commercials are being run on MTV. Still, it is a generation-bridging

musical with songs like "See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Heal Me" and "Listening To

You (I Hear the Music)" that are recognizable to even those not familiar with

rock music.

If there was a problem with the production - and it may have been only with

the opening night show - it was that the music tended to drown out the lyrics,

often making it difficult to understand what was being said. The story is

simple enough that it is not a big problem, but it does take away some of the

pleasure when you have to strain to hear what is going on.

Among the actors, Tony Gilbert is excellent as Uncle Ernie, a rather seedy

character who exploits Tommy; and Audrey Klinger and Christopher Rath do a

good job as Tommy's anguished parents, Mr and Mrs Walker. Lana Gordon is

terrific as the gypsy. It is a large cast, many of whom are on the stage in

most of the scenes, a testament to the choreographic skills of Bob Durkin.

A lot of the real stars of the show aren't seen by the audience, particularly

in this production. Drenda Lewis designed costumes that span thirty years (the

multicolor coats on the doctors and other medical specialists play well

against Tommy, who always appears dressed completely in white). Set designer

Michael Boyer, musical director/conductor Douglas Coates, and the sound and

lighting designers (Simon Matthews, Mark Clark and Christopher J. Landy) were

among a large crew that director Dom Ruggiero was able to coordinate to bring

off this ambitious production.

Tommy came to Candlewood following a three-week run at Gateway's Bellport, NY,

theater, where it earned standing ovations every night. If opening night is

any indication, it can expect the same reception here.

Tommy continues through November 10 at Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse, Route

39 in New Fairfield. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 8 pm, Friday

at 8:30, Saturday at 5 and 9, and Sunday at 2 and 7. Tickets are $19 to $30;

dinner/theater packages, $34 to $43.50. Call 746-4441.