Published: October 13, 2008 12:44 pm            

Pinball wizard 'Tommy' will rock playhouse

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

At Cresson Lake Playhouse, it’s out with the old and in with the new.

For the past four years, the playhouse has presented “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for its annual fundraiser. But this year it is switching to “The Who’s Tommy,” complete with a pinball machine.

The rock musical, based on The Who’s 1969 double album rock opera “Tommy,” will rattle the playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto, at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Oct. 23-25.

“We wanted something different,” said Elaine Mastalski, playhouse executive director.

“It was time for a change, but this is still outside the range of theater we normally do.”

She added that performances such as “Tommy” draw a younger audience during fundraising time, particularly when there is a live band on stage.

Musical director John Charney, known for his outstanding guitar playing at regional venues, will perform with the band.

The Who’s hits, such as “Pinball Wizard” and “See Me, Feel Me,” will take audiences back to the time when front man Pete Townshend wrote the groundbreaking rock opera.

Will Jones of Altoona, who is making his directorial debut at the playhouse, said he is sticking to Townshend’s original intent of a rock ’n’ roll metaphor.

“That’s how it was written,” Jones said. “There’s no set. It’s not grounded in reality. There is no dialogue, except for a few sentences.”

A three-piece band representing The Who will be on stage for the entire performance.

“There are times when the band is featured as a character,” Jones said.

While on one level “Tommy” is an all-out rock ’n’ roll show, there are some colorful characters representing different elements.

“The Acid Queen is all about drugs,” Jones said. “She’s seductive and destructive, just like drugs.

“There are layers and levels of meaning, but sometimes it’s just good music. I know the music well. I’m a lifelong Who fan.”

In addition to directing, Jones will portray two characters – Tommy’s father and the Pinball Wizard, whom Tommy has to defeat for the title.

Jones and Mastalski agree that the show has been toned down to make it more family friendly.

“The story is heavy handed in parts, but we’re sensitive to making it family friendly,” Jones said.

Mastalski added, “You could bring your children, and no one would be offended.”

Mastalski has seen a Broadway production of “Tommy” at IUP and believes Cresson Lake is the first community theater in the area to take the opportunity to stage the show.

She believes the playhouse is different because its productions step into the avant- garde with shows such as “Tommy.”

“The playhouse really rocks and rolls,” Mastalski said. “Parents will be able to tell their kids ‘This was my generation. This is what we were listening to back then.’ ”

Michael McClure of Hollidaysburg will make his playhouse debut in the starring role of “that deaf, dumb and blind kid (who) sure plays a mean pinball.”

A young Tommy will be played by Stevie Moses of Hollidaysburg, and Tommy’s mother will be portrayed by Katie Kessinger of Altoona.

The cast will be rounded out by Clarence Banks and Elaine Long, both of Altoona; Bob Matteo and Chelsey and Dave Moses, all of Hollidaysburg; and Parris Cronneur, a student at Penn State-Altoona.

Mastalski said this will be the playhouse’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going into the operating budget.

“Royalties can be out of sight for a community theater,” she said. “We want to be able to get contemporary shows.”



On stage

What: “The Who’s Tommy.”

Where: Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.

When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Oct. 23-25.

Tickets: $20.

Information: 472-4333.

        

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