The Who's Tommy - Offensive?- Page 2

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/30/23 at 10:53am

FWIW, MTI used to give schools enough leeway to cut both "Fiddle About" and "Acid Queen" to assuage sensitive audiences (or cast members of what some might deem an inappropriate age). I haven't seen a current catalog in ages, so this may have changed.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/30/23 at 1:38pm

joevitus said: "RippedMan said: "My only outlet to the show is the current Goodman production and I was truly gobsmacked at what was playing on stage and now the audience was laughing and cheering. Like dude is assaulted in different ways then they sing a song about why he can’t be like the other kids.. then he becomes a pinball Jesus figure… it’s a bizarre show. It’s not for me. But clearly it has a fan base."

The two songs about abuse are often played for dark humor, but this doesn't mean the audience is enjoying the abuse.

The parents sing a song about why he can't be like other kids because they feel guilty and ashamed over their crime (murder) and because they love him, and want him to be able to be normal like everyone else.

He becomes spriitually enlightened because, akin to an intense meditation program, he's shut off his senses and focused his mind and achieved enlightenment.

He plays pinball because...well, he plays pinball because an influential British rock critic in the late 60's was a pinball fanatic, and Townsend knew if he threw that in, he'd get a great review. But it does work to add a sense of playfulness and silliness to an otherwise very heavy Hesse-like story.

It's totally fine not to like the show or the material. Not like you need my okay to have your own reaction, I just want to say in spite trying to explain some of the show's aspects, I'm not slamming you for not liking it."

I forgot he witnessed a murder and then his dad brings him to a hooker! I def did not like it, and that’s fine it’s all opinion. But I was just kind of shocked that this is what the story is/was. Like wild to me. Be curious how my generation finds this because the audience was mostly folks who grew up on the album. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/1/23 at 10:28am

RippedMan said: "joevitus said: "RippedMan said: "My only outlet to the show is the current Goodman production and I was truly gobsmacked at what was playing on stage and now the audience was laughing and cheering. Like dude is assaulted in different ways then they sing a song about why he can’t be like the other kids.. then he becomes a pinball Jesus figure… it’s a bizarre show. It’s not for me. But clearly it has a fan base."

The two songs about abuse are often played for dark humor, but this doesn't mean the audience is enjoying the abuse.

The parents sing a song about why he can't be like other kids because they feel guilty and ashamed over their crime (murder) and because they love him, and want him to be able to be normal like everyone else.

He becomes spriitually enlightened because, akin to an intense meditation program, he's shut off his senses and focused his mind and achieved enlightenment.

He plays pinball because...well, he plays pinball because an influential British rock critic in the late 60's was a pinball fanatic, and Townsend knew if he threw that in, he'd get a great review. But it does work to add a sense of playfulness and silliness to an otherwise very heavy Hesse-like story.

It's totally fine not to like the show or the material. Not like you need my okay to have your own reaction, I just want to say in spite trying to explain some of the show's aspects, I'm not slamming you for not liking it."

I forgot he witnessed a murder and then his dad brings him to a hooker! I def did not like it, and that’s fine it’s all opinion. But I was just kind of shocked that this is what the story is/was. Like wild to me. Be curious how my generation finds this because the audience was mostly folks who grew up on the album."

Yes, it's part of the abuse he endures. 

[sonamdolma]

Posted: 7/1/23 at 8:31pm

Actually Pete Townshend and Des MacAnuff are currently staging the re-imagined Tommy at Goodman Theater in Chicago.  They are still very active with this piece, Pete Townshend is still kicking. 

 

[sonamdolma]

Posted: 7/1/23 at 8:40pm

Thank you for your thoughtful comment.  However, I don't think Deaf people in the audience care whether it's intended to be realistic or not.  It hurts for them to be sitting there in the audience watching this depiction, however it's intended.  Haven't you been hurt before by someone who didn't mean to hurt you?  This is something that perhaps only Deaf people can understand.  Anyone who cares will just listen to them.

Honestly this discussion reminds me of what Tommy Walker said to his angry following, in the line "You don't need to hear me/ You've got ideas of your own".  The original poster was asking (I hope sincerely) does anyone know if this play is offensive?  I have direct experience of seeing Deaf people in the audience feeling hurt by this play.  I only wanted to offer that, not argue.  If anyone's truly interested to know if this play has the potential to hurt and offend people in the audience, I know that it does.  But ask a Deaf person for a better response than I can share with you. 

Hugs, no hard feelings I hope.  Truth is truth.

[sonamdolma]

Posted: 7/1/23 at 8:43pm

Thank you for that feedback!!!  I think you watched the show with a sensitive heart.  I appreciate you.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 9:23am

" However, I don't think Deaf people in the audience care whether it's intended to be realistic or not.  It hurts for them to be sitting there in the audience watching this depiction, however it's intended.  Haven't you been hurt before by someone who didn't mean to hurt you?  This is something that perhaps only Deaf people can understand.  Anyone who cares will just listen to them."

The album "Tommy" is over 50 years old. There was a movie made in 1975 about it and that is almost 50 years old. The original Broadway show of "Tommy" is 30 years old. My point is that everybody who may be remotely interested in seeing this show should know the content of the show. If you think it has the potential to upset, you than don't pay money to see it. My answer to your question is no. I have never been hurt or really bothered by anything I have seen on screen or the stage. I understand the depictions of anything in a movie/show are created by writers/producers and are not the real world especially in a show like "Tommy"

[JasonC3]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 10:48am

Without weighing in on the merits of the content, I'm 50 years old.  I have heard the song Pinball Wizard, but that is the extent of my engagement with Tommy.  Just because something has been around for a long time doesn't mean it is widely known.  In fact, it could potentially mean the opposite for some segments of the potential audience or general population.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 6:53pm

"Without weighing in on the merits of the content, I'm 50 years old.  I have heard the song Pinball Wizard, but that is the extent of my engagement with Tommy.  Just because something has been around for a long time doesn't mean it is widely known.  In fact, it could potentially mean the opposite for some segments of the potential audience or general population."

The point is that since it has been around for decades as an album, a movie and Broadway show, there is ample ways of finding out about the content of a possible Broadway revival. I think with a little research you can probably determine if this show would offend you in any way.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 8:42pm

Zeppie2022 said: ""Without weighing in on the merits of the content, I'm 50 years old. I have heard the song Pinball Wizard, but that is the extent of my engagement with Tommy. Just because something has been around for a long time doesn't mean it is widely known. In fact, it could potentially mean the opposite for some segments of the potential audience or general population."

The point is that since it has been around for decades as an album, a movie and Broadway show, there is ample ways of finding out about the content of a possible Broadway revival. I think with a little research you can probably determine if this show would offend you in any way."

I don't disagree at all, but I was responding to when you said this: "My point is that everybody who may be remotely interested in seeing this show should know the content of the show."

Perhaps I misinterpreted your point here since you did not mention research.  No worries.

 

[sonamdolma]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 11:22pm

May I ask, are you a Deaf, Blind, or Deaf-Blind person? 

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 7:45pm

These are the kinds of people who ban books because they're uncomfortable with them.

Theatre is meant to inspire and challenge.  Tommy is not offensive.  Not if you're an adult with a social intellect.