Photo: Mandi Martini / Contributed Photo

Tommy will be performed at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Saturday, Feb. 4, through Sunday, Feb. 12.

Tommy will be performed at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Saturday, Feb. 4, through Sunday, Feb. 12.

Human spirit triumphs in Tommy at the Warner

Its a good thing it was the 1960s before video games when The Who was working on its iconic album, Tommy. The English rock bands famous tune, Pinball Wizard, just wouldnt have had the same ring to it, if it had been called Video Game Wizard.

Tommy, mostly composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, tells the tale of a deaf, dumb and blind boy who discovers hes a phenomenal pinball player. But it actually goes much deeper; Townshend has said he was inspired to write it by the teachings of Meher Baba, a spiritual leader who preached love and kindness.

That 1969 album went on to inspire a 1975 film and a 1992 Broadway musical. The stage show remains popular and will be performed at the Warner Theatre in Torrington Saturday, Feb. 4, through Sunday, Feb. 12. Sharon Wilcox is the shows director and choreographer.

Peter Townshends tale of a young boys journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock n roll ever to play in a theater, she said. After witnessing the accidental murder of his mothers lover by his father, who just returned from a German prisoner-of-war camp, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as he grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors.

Warner Theatre, 68 Main St., Torrington. Saturday, Feb.4-Sunday, Feb. 12. Friday, Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. 860-489-7180, warnertheatre.org

As an adolescent, hes discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.

Wilcox said Tommy eventually succeeds in casting off his emotionally imposed handicaps, yet finds himself just as isolated, in the role of messianic hero to the youth of Britain and the world.

Tommy seeks to teach his fans about the revelations he had when he was blind revelations of spiritual enlightenment. He tells them they cant achieve it through drinking and getting high, but they want a quick fix. So the zillions who worshipped him, turn against him.

Tommy faces a hard but profound truth. He learns that only through himself not through his parents or his fans can he uncover his own value and purpose in life.

Wilcox said she considers herself very lucky because this is her second time directing Tommy. The first was at Thomaston Opera House back in 2005.

I had such a wonderful experience that first time, after gaining more directing experience over the past 12 years, I thought it was time to try my hand at it again and put what I have learned to good use, she said.

Discussing the challenges of this production, Wilcox said if theres one thing shes learned as a director, its, You are only as good as the cast you assemble. If you cast a show correctly, thats 90 percent of your job right there. In this case they needed three people to play Tommy at different ages, as well as ensemble members.

Our (present-day) Tommy is played by Noel Roberge, who incidentally was Drew Boley in Rock of Ages last February. He is an incredible singer and performer, and I think this music is suited perfectly to his voice. He shares the role with Brendan Harris, who plays Tommy at age 4, and Trevor Rinaldi, who plays Tommy at age 10.

Wilcox said anyone who is a fan of The Who and of classic rock music will enjoy this show. And anyone who loves musicals in general should see it because its a spectacle of lights, sound, dance, great music and fantastic singing voices.

However, she said, Tommy is not a show for kids because there are some exceptionally brutal scenes, such as Fiddle About (in which Tommy is molested by his Uncle Ernie), as well as a scene with Cousin Kevin (Tommys sadistic relative).

But they have to happen to Tommy in his journey, she said. He has to overcome them. Thats what makes great drama.

lkoonz@newstimes.com; Twitter: @LindaTKoonz

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Human spirit triumphs in 'Tommy' at the Warner - Connecticut Post - CT Post