By Ernest Kearney — Keith Moon makes a prime subject for a one-man show.
The legendary drummer for the band The Who inspired the world of rock and rock with, both, his mad performances and his notoriously self-destructive behavior; on and off the stage. Numerous drum kits would fall victim to Moon’s madness as well as hotel rooms (his antics lead to The Who being banned from all Holiday Inns), toilets (its estimated his love of blowing up club and hotel toilets cost the group $500,000), friend’s apartments and, sadly, friends themselves.
For all that, Moon was an amazing drummer, voted by a Rolling Stone reader’s poll the second greatest of all time, behind John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
In Keith Moon the Real Me, writer and performer Mick Berry certainly does look the part, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the drummer who died of an over-dose in 1978 at the of 32. This resemblance continues when Berry, who is a drummer of talent, sits behind the drum set capturing the facial eccentricity that marked Moon’s performances.
It is when Berry steps in front of the drums that the show begins to flag. Then his grip on the character submerges into a bio-piece, in which the recounting of Moon becomes his subject rather than continuing as his persona.
Moon was a tragic character, a musical incarnation of Larry Talbot whose every night boasted a full moon. But in Berry’s performance the tragedy and pain of the man is only relayed and not relived.
Directed by Nancy Carlin with Frank Simes as Musical Director and who has worked with The Who in the same capacity, Keith Moon the Real Me should appeal to fans of Rock and Roll and of Moon himself.
But I doubt the show will inspire Moon any new ones.
♦ ♦ ♦
Keith Moon, the Real Me
The Story of the Legendary Drummer for The Who
on stage now until April 15
at
The Hudson Theatre Mainstage
Written and Performed by Mick Berry
Songs by Pete Townshend
Music Direction by Frank Simes
Directed by Nancy Carlin
MARCH 23–APRIL 15, 2018
Friday & Saturday at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
6539 Santa Monica Blvd.
(on Theatre Row)
Hollywood 90038
(Photos of Mick Berry as Keith Moon courtesy of Ken Werther Publicity)
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