Review: 'The Who's Tommy' by Landmark Student Theatre

Pictured above: The students involved in THE WHO'S TOMMY at Landmark in their show t-shirts

Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Ruth M. Sasso, who would have been so proud of the drummer

Thomaston, CT - The Landmark Community Theatre Teen Drama Program tackled the challenging music of THE WHO’S TOMMY for the annual summer show. The opening night performance not only showed how long and hard every member of the group had worked on this production, but proved that teens can present a show that rivals the work of their adult counterparts. In some aspects, this excellent version of TOMMY exceeded my expectations.

“In staging this piece with the Landmark Teen Theatre, we are excited to cultivate the next generation of performers at the Thomaston Opera House. Over the past six weeks, we have challenged and inspired our dedicated teens while exploring Tommy’s journey through reality and illusion.” - Jonathan Zalaski, director

The amazing Jonathan Zalaski directed this LCT Teen Drama Program show immediately before he heads to Marymount Manhattan College of NY. Rhiannon Carta (THE 1940’S RADIO HOUR) served as the choreographer and the fabulous dancing had her signature stamp; Ms. Carta will be seen in the ensemble of the upcoming LCT production of WE WILL ROCK YOU. The students were blessed to have T.J. Thompson work with them as music director and both the vocals and orchestra shone brightly. Mr. Thompson sat offstage in a room by himself to play keyboard one during the performance, while his daughter and assistant music director Marley Thompson conducted the other onstage musicians.

The story of THE WHO’S TOMMY, based on the 1969 concept album, is that after witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover at the hands of his father, Tommy is traumatized into a catatonic state. As he grows, he suffers abuse from various relatives and family members, but eventually finds solace in the arcade game of pinball. With the help of his mother Mrs. Walker, Tommy breaks free of his catatonia and becomes an international pinball superstar. The show was written by rock legend Pete Townshend, the lead guitarist and songwriter for the Who. This impressive LCT production of TOMMY is an exhilarating story of hope, healing, and the human spirit.

During his curtain speech, the inimitable Jeffrey Dunn noted that Landmark Student Theatre has been producing a summer teen show since 2013. As usual, he mentioned the fire exits and the fact that there would be haze used during the performance; he added that the haze had not set off the fire alarm as of yet and that would prove to be prophetic. Finally, he presented a scholarship to frequent LCT contributor Lauren Stango, who was there to accept it. Jewel Heron and Allison VanDerlyn were presented with LCT scholarships on Saturday evening.

The Prologue: Overture moved easily through the scenes that set up the story of TOMMY and were wonderfully lit. The vocal solos were all performed well, and the choral sections featured wonderfully well-rehearsed harmonies.

The aforementioned haze set off the fire alarm in the middle of the second act on opening night and the cast, crew, musicians and audience members headed to the parking lot. After the fire drill ended, almost everyone headed back inside to finish the show. Despite the long interruption, the teens picked up where they had left off and ended strongly, proving that the show must go on even if it means staying up longer than expected.
Southington HS grad Keegan Smith brought a good stage presence to the leading role of the oldest Tommy in his Landmark debut. Mr. Smith will head to SCSU to study psychology in the fall and thanks his high school director Alyssa Bunel in his bio. Watertown HS grad Jewell Hearon (GREASE at LCT, SEUSSICAL at 7A) was very strong as Tommy’s father Captain Walker; Mr. Hearon will head to WCSU to study music education in the fall. Olivia Lanteri (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, SWEENEY) did an amazing job in the role of Mrs. Walker. Justin Torres (IN THE HEIGHTS at Torrington HS) was a standout as Cousin Kevin and Justin Callanan (SWEENEY TODD) was great as the creepy Uncle Ernie.

Holy Cross senior Galvin Brayton rocked the role of the Acid Queen in her LCT debut wearing a sparkly short dress. Allison VanDerlyn (SWEENEY) stepped out of the ensemble to play the young Sally Simpson; Ms. VanDerlyn will head to SCSU to study ECE in the fall. Avarice Jacovino appeared as Mr. Simpson/Hawker and Katie Nemergut was Mrs. Simpson. Jonah Lopez played Tommy at age 10 and second grade student Addison Caron appeared as the four year old Tommy. Ms. Caron was a part of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE KING AND I with Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre. Raul Calderon played Mrs. Walker’s doomed lover and Matthew Luponio played a specialist, with Chase Collegiate School student Emma Denihan as his assistant and a harmonica player.

The fine dancers in the ensemble included Mr. Brayton, Grace Carpenter (SWEENEY, MEMPHIS,) Halo Award winner Sebastian Cordero, Ms. Denihan, Mr. Jacovino, Daniel Kalvaitis, Jacob Kelsey, Camryn Lopez, Jayme Lopez, Matthew Luponio, Kelvin Mizhquiri (MEMPHIS at WAMS,) Ms. Nemergut, Katie Seppa, Hailey “Oli” Stamm, and Ms. VanDerlyn.

Kudos to Lighting Designer Tori Campbell on the outstanding rock concert lighting that gave the show a most professional flair. Whether in shadows or intensely lit, this lighting became a show of its own and raised the level of the overall look of this TOMMY. Costumes designed by Claire Gaudette brought us to Great Britain in the fifties and sixties, as did the fine English accents; the set designed by Ms. Campbell and the director was both functional and of the era and was built with the help of the cast members. Adults involved in the production were Julian Krom as the tech director, Jeff Dunn as the producer and Andrea Bingham as production manager.

And that orchestra of young musicians ROCKED! Ms. Thompson kept everyone in time with her able baton, although the audience could barely tell that she was there. Mr. Thompson worked his usual magic on that offstage keyboard; Peter Kershaw and Jacob Honig covered keyboard two and three respectively. Chase Harper rocked on guitar one and Joe DeMilio did just as well on guitar two. It was fun to be able to see these musicians seated on their raised platform, although some had better sight lines than others.

Since the drummer lives in my home, I will simply report what I heard from other audience members. Parents seated near me were discussing the drum kit before the show began and during intermission complimented Christian ‘C.J.’ Janis about his animated drumming. One young woman and her friend approached him during one of the intermissions and confirmed that he was the drummer. She gushed that he was “rocking” the drum parts and “stealing the show;” another male voice loudly shouted his praise of the drummer as patrons exited the TOH. Mr. Janis noted that he loved the notes in the musical score that referenced Keith Moon, especially regarding the drum solo in the underture.

Try to catch one of the remaining performances August 10, & 11 @ 8pm. Adults are an affordable $15, Seniors & Students $12.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417