REVIEW: Come for the pinball, stay for Ali Louis Bourzgui’s mesmerizing performance
Photo: The Who’s Tommy tells the story of a pinball wizard. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman / Provided by BBB with permission.
NEW YORK — The Who’s Tommy is unfortunately having its open-ended run cut short this summer at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway. The exquisite revival, which is based on the British rock band’s concept album from decades ago, is a profound and poetic rumination on many serious topics, including finding oneself amidst war, abuse and hardship.
At the center of the new production is Ali Louis Bourzgui, a Broadway newcomer who is giving it his all in the title role. His performance is mesmerizing and worth the price of admission. Although Tommy is played by multiple actors throughout the show, it’s Bourzgui’s powerful and pathos-filled take that leaves the most lasting impression.
The songs of this Des McAnuff-directed show populate the stage with verve and boundless energy. Pete Townshend, who penned the music, lyrics and book, theatricalizes The Who’s album with an uncanny ability to jump mediums from the world of rock ‘n’ roll to the expansiveness of a Broadway stage. The resulting imagery, thanks to McAnuff and Townshend’s visions coming together, is something to behold. This show tells its unique story in a most unusual manner, with hardly any spoken dialogue. Instead, Lorin Latarro’s choreography couples with the skilled singing of the cast to imprint Tommy’s narrative in the audience’s collective mind.
The musical is about growing up amidst hardship and history. Tommy faces many horrific challenges, including abuse when he’s a child. There are also family fights, dashed expectations and even murder. This all sets Tommy on a course to turn inward and not engage with the outside world; his one saving grace is the game of pinball, which eventually leads him to become a “pinball wizard” and something of a cultish superstar.
The bizarre ups and downs of this strange tale is perhaps why modern-day audiences have not flocked to The Who’s Tommy, and that’s a shame. Too often theater in Midtown Manhattan is riddled with cookie-cutter cliches or Las Vegas-style flourishes that seem too commercial than artistic. Tommy, bucking that trend, is a genuine artistic show, almost like a ballet or opera, and one that relies on imagery and imagination to tell its tale.
Bourzgui humanizes the piece with his spot-on portrayal. His singing voice, deep and commanding, is unparalleled among other performers on stage right now, and his acting prowess seems to internalize the simultaneous hurt and resilience of this pivotal character. It’s a believable, hearrlfet portrayal. One can only hope that this actor sticks around New York City and finds another show to continue his theatrical journey.
The Who’s Tommy dominated Broadway for quite some time during its initial run, and this revival attains a similar magic and momentousness. But with only a few performances left, the pinball game will soon come to an end. Audiences have been warned: Try not to miss this exciting revival with this towering performance at its center.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Who’s Tommy, starring Ali Louis Bourzgui, features music, lyrics and book by Pete Townshend. Directed by Des McAnuff. Running time: two hours and 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Playing through Sunday, July 21, at the Nederlander Theatre on 41st Street in Midtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
