RANDY SINGS TOMMY

[wirthwoman]

Last weekend my friends and I took our yearly trip to the Berkshires to see Randy in the rock opera "Tommy". We were at the Friday night preview, the opening night on Saturday and the Monday night performance all viewed from the first row center just behind and above the excellent orchestra in the pit below. It was a great vantage point.

Comments

[mmmorpheusq]

Really enjoyed reading your report, and I am so disappointed that I could not come to the Berkshires this year. I love Randy's singing and can only imagine how great he is in Tommy.

I purchased the dvd of the movie version, having never seen it before, and I was terribly disappointed. I hated it! So like you, I am happy to know that Randy's Tommy is much, much better!

Thanks for sharing. Hope we can meet up again one day!

[wirthwoman]

You would have loved this one Morph. He was dazzling. I'm happy to know that someone else found the movie distasteful. I thought it was dreadful and thought at least I'll get to hear Randy sing. What a pleasant surpise to find that I loved the whole thing.

I hope we meet again too, maybe on the west coast for something.

[gaedhal]

Ken Russell = An aquired 1970's taste, I think.
The baked bean scene will live in infamy.

[wirthwoman]

I think as a former rocker yourself, you may have gotten more out of this movie than someone like me who found it to be just ridiculous. Yes, I thought Ann Margret looked so lovely all in white in the white room and then the beans came. It made me cringe and say WTF??

[gaedhal]

Russell said at the time that it was all about
commercialism and consumerism -- which is
not what Townsend intended. He said it was
about celebrity worship -- Tommy as Messiah,
etc. So I think the movie was a pretty muddled
mess.

[shadownyc]

The movie was much more challenging and insane to view. The play is more appealing to a broader audience. This one is even more upbeat and happy than I remember.

It was great seeing you!

[wirthwoman]

I guess Ken Russell took some liberties particularly in the Capt. Walker role and all the craziness with Oliver Reed and Ann Margret. I;m glad that now I can appreciate The Who and their opera when I didn't before.

It's always nice to see people we know and meet new ones which is a big part of why I love to follow Randy's performances. It's like a reunion of like souls.

[gaedhal]

The irony is that "Tommy" is NOT supposed to be
a happy and upbeat story. It's a tragedy and
a warning. And very dark and cynical. It's
Townsend's venting on his hatred of celebrity
culture -- and since I believe it was inspired
in part by John Lennon's "Beatles are more popular
than Jesus" controversy, it's also very prescient,
considering John assassination by a "fan."

[koalared]

I remember seeing the movie when it came out and thinking it was awful but not really wanting to think that because I loved The Who. Rewatched it a couple of months ago in anticipation of seeing the play and thinking it was awful but not really wanting to think that because I love The Who and was taking my daughter to the play with me and wanted her to like it.
The play was AWESOME, Randy was AWESOME and my daughter loved it. Even tho it was hard to do any thinking while watching Randy sing, I thought the play makes sense, I can follow this and it's a great story. And so visually appealing and not just Randy. Great production.

[wirthwoman]

Well I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who didn't appreciate the movie and was concerned about the play. It was such a revelation that it could be a wonderful play in the hands of the right director and cast. I actually understood the story as presented which is more than I can say about the movie.

[positive_pat]

Nice review Dixie. Glad you had a great time.

Hugs
Pat

[wirthwoman]

Thanks Pat. It was one of the best he has done so far.