The Who's Tommy at Kennedy Center

FYI, the Kennedy Center's production of The Who's Tommy started last night, runs through Monday. This is the latest in the Broadway Center Stage series, the semi-staged Broadway series.

This run stars Casey Cott as Tommy, Christian Borle and Mandy Gonzalez as Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker, Manu Narayan as Uncle Ernie, Kimberly Nichole as The Gypsy, and Wesley Taylor as Cousin Kevin.

Staging was very interesting, simple use of mirrors and box props to act as doors, furniture, etc. Full costumes and no one carried a script, even though Wednesday was the first performance and the use of scripts is noted in the Playbill. The orchestra was seated on stage in a "mini pit" with ramps built around them. Very minimal scenery with projections setting each scene, unlike more staged shows (The Music Man) in the series.

Production was excellent, though in my opinion, the second act of Tommy is a bit of a mess.

Updated On: 4/25/19 at 03:44 PM

Marlothom said: "Seeing it tonight - my first time seeing Tommy. Will report back."

Yep, was my first time too, though I generally knew the story. Was only familiar with one song ("Pinball Wizard".

We caught it too. Normally love this show - but was disappointed. Misses the mark i many ways. Taylor is strong agree . Some cast good . hoped for a stronger version of this show - production has bland vision.

Updated On: 4/25/19 at 08:15 PM

I agree with the few tepid reviews so far. I bought tickets to this because it was so thrilling to see Jessie Mueller in The Music Man, that I wanted to see Christian and Mandy in a new production up close and personal (and I was in the 2nd row) but I didn't realize their parts were "not as flashy". It was fine.

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The Washington Post's review is up: Peter Marks calls it the best production in the two years of the Broadway Center Stage series.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/i-could-have-rocked-all-night-to-the-whos-tommy-at-the-kennedy-center/2019/04/26/7754f23e-67ce-11e9-a1b6-b29b90efa879_story.html?utm_term=.239f7e81d7d1

Mark’s reviews are always so over the place.

Cott blended in with the material, though the direction didn’t exactly give him anything to work with. He was fine, and perhaps would have been better in a more fleshed out production. I did have a good time, but the direction fell flat in the second act. It never emphasized the cult/savior like figure Tommy had become, it glossed over it.

I never understood why Tommy was a two act show either, it should be a quick 1 hr 45 of sensory overload.