Paramount's 'Tommy' showcases Palatine native's versatility
Palatine native Tom Vendafreddo wasn't born when the British band The Who released its iconic double-album rock opera “Tommy” in 1969. And Vendafreddo was only 7 in 1993 when “The Who's Tommy” (as it's come to be billed) became a five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.
Yet he is playing a crucial role in making sure that the Paramount Theatre's new production of “The Who's Tommy” truly rocks. Vendafreddo, 29, is the production's music director and a dual keyboardist-conductor.
“People who are coming to see this show first and foremost are coming because of this music,” Vendafreddo said during a recent break from rehearsals. “The show has to work on two levels: It has to work like a rock concert, and then it also has to work as a story with real, genuine people.”
Vendafreddo is collaborating with director Jim Corti and choreographer Brock Clawson to make sure that “Tommy” makes dramatic sense onstage — unlike director Ken Russell's hallucinogenic 1975 film version that Vendafreddo described as “purposely trying to be an acid trip.”
“Tommy” tells the story of an abused and bullied British boy who is struck “deaf, dumb and blind” when he witnesses a traumatic event after World War II. He grows up to become a messianic celebrity of sorts in the 1960s when he unexpectedly gains a following for his amazing “Pinball Wizard” skills.
Vendafreddo knows he has his work cut out for him to meet the expectations of die-hard “Tommy” fans. Although he didn't experience the initial whirlwind success of the album or its 1970s adaptations onstage for Seattle Opera and in London, Vendafreddo is relishing the chance to learn how The Who served as rock innovators.
“The Who changed the course of rock music,” said Vendafreddo, noting the innovative musical narrative arcs in “Tommy” and the work's unconventional song time structures. “They were looking at a bigger picture than just an individual song.”
Vendafreddo cites his participation in the Palatine Children's Chorus starting at age 8 as the source for his interest in all things musical. And in an interesting twist, the cast of “The Who's Tommy” includes Ricky Falbo, who plays Tommy at the age of 10. Falbo is the son of former Palatine Children's Chorus artistic director Sue Falbo, who first taught Vendafreddo such vital building blocks as learning how to read music and conduct.
“It's totally exciting for me to see somebody that I've known and who has sung with my choirs for 10 years to watch him develop as a young artist and now he's mentoring my son,” Sue Falbo said. “There's so much pride involved and like (Vendafreddo) said, it comes full circle. Every time I see him working up there, I almost want to come to tears.”
Vendafreddo's rock band work on “Tommy” is a change from his more recent orchestral music directing gigs for “On the Town” at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and the Paramount's “Mary Poppins.” Vendafreddo also has music directing duties on tap for Paramount's upcoming “Les Misérables.”
“In terms of the vocal style, this is what is fascinating about theater artists in general and especially here in Chicago is they learn to be so versatile so quickly,” said Vendafreddo.
Vendafreddo is grateful that his theater career has taken off so prominently in the Chicago area and especially at the Paramount Theatre, which he considers an artistic home.
“They brought me on board for several projects and hopefully they will continue to do so,” said Vendafreddo. “I'm blessed that there's a group of people who want me around just as much as I want to be around.”
“The Who's Tommy”
<b>Location:</b> Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, <a href="http://paramountaurora.com">paramountaurora.com</a>
<b>Showtimes:</b> 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, from Jan. 14 through Feb. 15
<b>Tickets:</b> $41-$54