The Who perform “Pinball Wizard” fromTommy, live on the Isle of Wight.

Guest blogger Gail Sachson owns Ask Me About Art. She is vice-chair of the Cultural Affairs Commission, a Public Art Committee member and the Office of Cultural Affairs Liaison to the Dallas Theater Center Board of Directors.

The best theater in town this week was not listed in any guide or reviewed by any critic. It was last Tuesday afternoon when Kevin Moriarty, the still new, still energetic artistic director of the Dallas Theater Center, held the first rehearsal for The Who’s Tommy, the first show of the DTC season (August 27-September 21).

Encircled by rows of local and not-so-local dancers, singers, musicians and crew, Moriarty was the best warm-up act a show could have (although even he had trouble warming up the Kalita Humphreys — why can’t we get the AC fixed?)

Like Tommy — the first album to be billed as a “rock opera” — Moriarty exuded the power of “a time bomb waiting to explode”- explode excitement, that is. His motivating, madcap story of how he found the Who filled the black and barren stage with the energy of a rock musical. He was a zany stand-up. An audacious, uncensored club act. He created a rapport with the young performers.

The DTC website warns of Tommy’s “loud rock and roll.” Moriarty promises that. He also promises that Tommy won’t be Rodgers and Hammerstein. Tommy, he says, will be rebellious, angry and muscular. With its stage set of steel staircases and water crossings, you should be prepared to take a journey. A spiritual journey , which will stir your soul, transcend the evils of the world and take you to a better place.

Broadway musical version — with Tony Award-winning sets by Dallasite John Arnone.