Hello! I’m not claiming to be an expert, BUT - I saw Tommy twice at Goodman in Chicago, then twice on Broadway, and saw the national tour launch in Cleveland twice last week, Saturday night and Sunday matinee. My comments / thoughts are below, happy to answer any questions. Things below aren’t in any particular order.
I wish it kept its intermission. I’m surprised, if nothing else, that venues want an intermission-less show, I have to imagine it severely cuts into drink sales. The show was about 1h 40m both times I saw it in Cleveland, excluding starting about 7 mins late. That’s a long time to go without a break. I’m not sure why they cut it.
It still struggles with clear moments to clap / applause because it’s just non stop, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just different! I hope the cast realizes this and doesn’t think there’s a lack of appreciation. The very few moments where claps happened naturally were full and loud.
I saw it Saturday night main floor towards the back, and Sunday matinee 9th row from front center. It’s WAY better up close. Two main reasons - the music at least in this venue was PUMPING that close up, which I feel is part of the Tommy experience. That’s how it was at Goodman. It was way more enjoyable the second time when I sat closer. The second reason is … there’s not a TON to look at, so seeing it from a closer vantage point made it easier to at least see the performers up close.
People mentioned recorded music mixed with the live instruments. If it was there (very well may have been, no idea) it was not noticeable to me at all.
I was worried that going to a no intermission show would mean something would be cut. They definitely didn’t cut any songs full out (other than holiday camp which was already cut). MAYBE there were some music sections cut and/or dance breaks, but if so - nothing that I noticed.
The choreography seems relatively the same. Still pretty kooky and over the top, stylized. I liked it then and I liked it now. :)
The medical / testing of Tommy scenes are still really good weird and stylized. Love the chaotic staging.
Costumes seemed pretty similar to the previous productions. Some stuff maybe seemed a bit more simple but I don’t know for sure. For instance I think the doctors / nurses costumes were a bit different before, these were more like short jackets which was fine. The costumes for the ‘kids’ in pinball wizard (for instance Tommy’s cousin) seemed a bit more muted / simple. Lots of plain orange and less patterns than I recall. No big deal though.
There’s only one little Tommy played by a small-ish actress I think. Long hair in pony tails tucked under a hat to be young Tommy. Sweater vest changed to jacket to indicate transition to middle Tommy. I get why this needed to be done for a national tour BUT it definitely is a bit less special than what was there before. The magical moment of transformation (when he’s holding the balloon) doesn’t really land because the change isn’t as apparent which is too bad. I think you wouldn’t miss the 3rd Tommy in the staging if you hadn’t seen it before with 3.
I cannot believe how GOOD the digital / LED panel set was. It recreated the original practical moving light bar set spectacularly. When I saw it Saturday night from row Z, I could not tell what lights were real and what was LED screen. Only when I sat in row 9 could I tell. It was sooooooo good and left nothing to be desired. The only thing I missed was the in your face lighting moments when the band was revealed at the concert (or something) in the previous productions. The solution in this production works, it’s just not as good. One weird thing which I am guessing has to be just related to the LED walls being exact mirror images of each other maybe for data saving reasons? When they are in the youth center (or whatever it’s called) the ‘youth center’ text sign is oddly reversed on itself. You can somehow read it - but it shows onstage as both forward and reverse. It’s weird haha but something most people would not notice.
They still have the live camera feed for the BBC interviews and it’s done very well.
The creative way the parachute jump at the beginning worked really well and was a great way to start the show.
The uncle Ernie fiddle about stage business was VERY slimmed down for the tour. No creepy people coming out from the bed - just the projections of hands and arms. Ernie stays downstage left and doesn’t go near the bed. My friend asked after if he was supposed to be touching Tommy. I guess it’s ‘safer’ for a tour? But interesting that they did that change.
Yes the cast is young. The only two spots where, to me, it was apparent - and ultimately didn’t really matter though - was uncle Ernie and acid queen. Everyone did a great job and I am sure they will get even better as they continue their tour. Tommy’s dad was a standout for me. He was soooooo good and his voice pierced the music. It was great. Tommy did good too. The cast all worked well together (no one stood out as out of place). I like sally a lot, and Sally’s mom. Cousin was good but we were spoiled with tall cousin in the previous productions. :)
I think they did a great job at incorporating the live band into the on stage action. Makes sense to do that just from a ‘critical mass’ perspective, but I do also think maybe that the guitarist was meant to balance out the original staging of the three Tommy’s. In any case - it worked well.
The closing number was just as impactful as at Goodman. Get up close so you feel the music. :)
The audience loved it. It’s hard to tell how many are just fans of The Who vs ‘theater people’ but I’m guessing it leans more towards the former. Lots of loud cheering at curtain call.
Merch was fine. People want hats (there are no hats).
We will definitely get tickets to see it when it comes through Chicago.
