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Hi bunch,

Here's this from another list.  Not only is it interesting for itself, but
Mark, it seems like another vote/interpretation for Tommy surviving and
finding new hope at the end.


Date:  Wed, 11 Aug 1999 07:12:50 -0400
From: CAM <carla@rpa.net>
Subject: The Story of Tommy

Hello,

I recently was lucky enough to acquire a Fillmore East program from the
October 20-25, 1969 presentation of Tommy.  I though I would share with you
the STORY OF TOMMY as printed in that program.   I hope you find it
interesting.
------------------------------------------
1969 Bill Graham Presents in New York FILLMORE EAST
Publisher, Bill Graham, Volume 1 -- Number 47, Program Editor, Tim Hicks

THE STORY OF TOMMY

OVERTURE: Toward the close of World War I Mrs. Walker receives word that
her husband is missing in action.    IT'S A BOY: Mrs. Walker gives birth to
Tommy.    YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT: Tommy witnesses the return of his father,
wrongly reported missing, and the murder or his mother's lover.  Tommy's
mother beats and brainwashes the child.  She tries to drive out the memory
of the scene to erase it from the child's mind.    AMAZING JOURNEY, SPARKS:
She succeeds in shutting down Tommy's senses of speech, hearing and sight
completely.  They are psychologically blocked out; for all practical
purposes he is deaf, dumb and blind.  From now on his personal evolution
will only be possible through is sense of touch and through his own powers
of imagination.  Deprived of sensations from the outside world, Tommy
develops an acute sensitivity for perceiving his own thoughts.    EYESIGHT
TO THE BLIND: Tommy's parents never give up hope for the boy and visit an
unscrupulous hustler called the "Hawker" who sings the praises of his gypsy
wife and her miraculous powers.  Tommy's parents are assured by the
"Hawker" that his wife could cure the boy.    CHRISTMAS: Tommy's father
notes that on Christmas morning Tommy's face reveals none of the excitement
that stirs the other children.  Tommy lives the life of an incurable and
apparently backward child.  He longs for recognition and his parents longs
for him to recognize them, but nothing happens.    COUSIN KEVIN: Left on
his won with his unpleasant cousin Kevin, Tommy is mercilessly bullied.  As
he is dumb, there is no chance that he will inform his parents.    THE ACID
QUEEN: The Gypsy appears with her famous medicine.  She administers LSD to
the boy, demanding payment in front for her services.    UNDERTURE: Tommy's
reaction to LSD are portrayed instrumentally.    DO YOU THINK IT'S ALRIGHT:
Tommy's parents decide to go out, leaving Tommy in the custody of his
irresponsible and drunken Uncle Ernie for the while.    FIDDLE ABOUT: Uncle
Ernie wilfully molests Tommy.  The boy's lack of preconceived ideas
prevents his suffering any dad trip.    PIN BALL WIZARD: Though deaf, dumb
and blind, Tommy becomes a pin ball champion.  Receiving less sensory
information about his surroundings than "normal" people, Tommy feels
correspondingly less separation from his surroundings.  He virtually
becomes part of the pin ball machine process, never wasting his intent and
energy upon thought of personal gain or loss.    THERE'S A DOCTOR: Tommy's
father believes he has found a doctor who can cure his son.    GO TO THE
MIRROR: The doctor diagnoses Tommy's condition as a purely psychological
block.  Tommy only seems to communicate or see when he is gazing at his own
reflection.    TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME: Tommy's mother vainly tries to
communicate with her son.    SMASH THE MIRROR: finally she passes from
threats to action.  She breaks the mirror, and with this the boy's inner
block.  As the mirror splinters, Tommy's world opens up.    SENSATION:
Tommy realizes the enormous powers he now has and becomes aware to his
destiny as a great popular religious leader.    MIRACLE CURE: Tommy becomes
famous.    SALLY SIMPSON: Tommy's religious concerts become enormously
popular.  Some of Tommy's fans are so taken by his charisma that they
attempt to relate to his physical being rather then his message.    I'M
FREE: Tommy tells his followers that they hold the key to their own
enlightenment.    WELCOME: Vast holiday camps are constructed as temples
for Tommy's new religion.  Tommy evangelistically invites the world as
large to join his following.    TOMMY'S HOLIDAY CAMP: Uncle Ernie welcomes
new converts to the camp.    WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT: Tommy makes what has
become a stock speech of welcome to new arrivals.  His followers, however,
rebel against his system of rigid spiritual discipline.  Discontent spreads
and the religion is discredited.  Tommy's camps are reduced to ruins.  The
opera closes with Tommy's continuing statement of wonder at that which
encompasses him.


Carla

Alan
Be sure to read _McKendree: A Burning Novel of Murder and Revenge_
by Douglas Hirt, ISBN 0-8439-4184-7  (available at www.amazon.com)