The Who’s Tommy
Nederlander Theater
July 3, 2024
Photo courtesy of The Who's Tommy
The Broadway revival of The Who’s Tommy is spectacular. Director Des McAnuff, who directed the
original production in 1993, brings it back with an outstanding cast. Pete Townshend’s music is as fresh and
exciting as it was on the day it was first released. Choreography by Lorin Latarro is bold and
exciting.
Tommy (played by Ali Louis Bourzgui, Cecilia Ann Popp at age 4, and Quinten Kusheba at age 10) witnesses his father, Captain Walker (played by understudy Mike Cannon), murder his mother’s boyfriend (played by Nathan Lucrezio). Out of panic, Tommy’s mother (played by Alison Luff) tells him he did not see anything, did not hear anything, and will not say anything. This sends Tommy into trauma. He can no longer see, hear, or speak, and spends most of his time staring into a mirror. Tommy is abused by his Uncle Ernie (played by John Ambrosino), and ridiculed by his Cousin Kevin (played by Bobby Conte). While at the Youth Center, Tommy is left alone at a pinball machine and starts to play. He beats all scores, and creates a sensation. His parents continue to look for a cure for his situation. They finally decide to send him to a sanitarium. Out of frustration, his mother smashes the mirror that Tommy stares into, breaking his traumatic spell. It is hailed a miracle cure, and Tommy becomes a cult phenomenon. When his celebrity becomes too much for him, Tommy returns home to reconnect with his family and himself.
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| Ali Louis Bourzgui as Tommy Photo courtesy of The Who's Tommy |
During Act I, when Cecilia
Ann Popp and Quinten Kusheba play the younger versions of Tommy, Ali Louis
Bourzgui appears as the voice in his head, the person trapped inside the young
boy. Mr. Bourzgui’s voice and
physicality have a mysterious quality that makes these scenes highly
effective. The three actors combine to present
a complete understanding of the psychological components that make up of the
full character. Mr. Bourzgui propels the
action forward in Act II, then is reunited with his younger self for an
emotionally satisfying ending.
"Pinball Wizard"
Photo courtesy of The Who's Tommy
Alissa Luff and Mike
Cannon are excellent as Mrs. Walker and Captain Walker. They have a solid chemistry that bonds them
in the first act and causes conflict in the second. John Ambrosino plays creepy Uncle Ernie with
conviction. His presence is always felt,
and his motives are consistently questionable.
Bobby Conte’s Cousin Kevin is bold and energetic. The character shifts from Tommy’s tormenter
to his most ardent supporter, yet his cunning ability to take advantage of
Tommy is evident throughout.
The Who’s Tommy is playing at the Nederlander Theatre through July 21. See it before it closes!
Domenick Danza
