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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2009 > February > 12 > Entry
Ballet’s ‘Tommy’ a sensory winner
The second impression was the same as the first. “The Who’s Tommy” is one of the best productions the Dayton Ballet has ever done.
Choreographer Christopher Fleming’s 2007 rock ballet to The Who’s original recording returned to the Victoria Theatre Thursday, Feb. 12, for a run through Sunday. If you go, and you should, here’s what you …
• Will see: High-energy dancing and everyday movements woven into scenes that bring 24 songs to life over 77 mostly satisfying minutes without intermission. An array of costumes by Lowell Mathwich, sets by Dan Gray and lighting by Dan McLaughlin. There’s also a “making of Tommy” video before and an optional chat with the dancers afterward.
• May feel: Concern for Tommy, forced into a shell by seeing his long-lost father kill a man. Contempt for his bullying cousin Kevin (Richard Grund). Discomfort with his Uncle Ernie (Case Bodamer). Unease with the ballet’s messianic conclusion. Admiration for Erika Cole’s dancing as the Lady of the Light and others who can hover on balance and in the air, work smoothly with partners, evoke emotions and sensations.
• Might be touched by: The dedication of Tommy’s mother Mrs. Walker, who never gives up on her son. (Katie Keith gave an inspired performance in the role.) The endurance and eventual emergence of Tommy, portrayed excellently again by Justin Koertgen.
• Could be healed of: The notion that ballet is stodgy, mostly posing, or incompatible with rock music. Fleming demonstrated the fallacy of that previously with his work “Janis and Joe” for the Dayton Ballet. “Tommy” is even better.
The Dayton Ballet, like many other previously healthy arts organizations across the country, is struggling to make ends meet. A hit like this should make bring people out in droves. It’s a reward for several senses.
“The Who’s Tommy” will be presented again at 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13-15, at the Victoria, First and Main streets. For tickets, call (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630, or go online to www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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