As a teenager, I became quite obsessed with a new discovery: the concept of the rock opera. I was an avid listener of classic rock, and when I found out that there was such a thing as a musical featuring such badassery, it rocked my world. I promptly went out and rented the film Tommy, based on the album of the same name by British band The Who. I had never seen anything like it before – it is a bizarre film full of acid trips, messiah complexes, and Elton John in full Elton John get-up.
Two years before the album Tommy was adapted to film, they released another rock opera album, which itself would be made into a film in 1979: Quadrophenia. This album told the story of Jimmy, a young man suffering from multiple personality disorder – four personalities, to be exact, each supposedly corresponding to the four members of The Who. The album was very well received, boasting now-classic songs such as “The Real Me” and “Love Reign O’er Me.”
Quadrophenia was released in 1973, and that same year a documentary was produced detailing the story behind the album. Tonight, for one night only, Fathom Events presents a screening of Can You See the Real Me? at Rave Stonybrook Theaters. The film takes an in-depth behind-the-scenes look into the album, including musical performances and drummer Keith Moon’s collapse onstage during the first show of the tour.
Can You See the Real Me? screens at 8:00 this evening. Rave Stonybrook is located at 2745 S. Hurstbourne Parkway. Further theater information, as well as advance ticket sales, can be found at the Stonybrook Theater website. Further information about the film can be found at the Fathom Events page.
Image: Wikipedia
