When "The Who's Tommy" premiered on Broadway in April 22, 1993 it played 899 performances and won Tony Awards for best original score, scenic design, lighting design, choreography and direction of a musical. It went on to win Drama Desk Awards and a Theatre World Award.
"Tommy" was originally released in 1969 as a rock opera by the legendary British rock band The Who with music and lyrics by lead guitarist Pete Townshend and contributions by bassist John Entwistle. "Tommy" was first dramatized in a film directed by Ken Russell in 1975, which garnered Townshend an Academy Award for best film score.
In a highly anticipated production, the St. Thomas Playhouse will bring "The Who's Tommy" to the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum from Thursday, June 14, through Sunday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m., to perform a youth inspired version of the musical.
In addition, representatives from The Advocates, St. Luke's Center for Community Health and The Blaine County Probation Department will take part in a post-show discussion on Friday, June 15, to discuss topics of child, drug and alcohol abuse.
"The Who's Tommy" tells the story of a teenage boy who accidentally witnesses the murder of his father by his stepfather. He has been told by his mother and his stepfather to forget the entire incident. Tommy, unable to process his emotions about his father's murder, turns inward and ceases to see, hear or speak. His only salvation is playing pinball at which he becomes a world champion pinball player bringing fortune and fame to his family. From his miraculous healing process, Tommy is able to teach others about his perspective on life and becomes a religious cult figure.
Directed by Freddie Harris, the production of "The Who's Tommy" has been a collaborative effort with musical direction by Alyssa Claffey and choreographed by Sherry Horton and Sara Gorby.
"This is the biggest production I have ever done," said Harris. "I am a huge rock opera fan, and we wanted to do something a little edgier."
The modern day issues that young adults face today are very relevant in "The Who's Tommy." "Through his stardom, and it's not enlightened or spiritual, Tommy comes back to himself," Harris said. "I think the only way you can do this is with rock and roll especially when tackling this subject."
"The Who's Tommy" is the first St. Thomas Playhouse Summer Theater Project, a program created for high school youth and college students through a grant from The Chichester duPont Foundation. The Playhouse decided to perform "The Who's Tommy" because it represents the mission of the summer theater project, which is to perform theater that allows young adults to understand the many societal issues that face them as they become working and active adults in the community.
Harris wants to show Tommy forgiving his parents because they are eventually bonded at the end of the show. Harris feels that revealing the closeness of the family allows the audience to believe him when he forgives them.
"I'm going to explore it with the kids." Harris said. "This church group is very supportive. It means that they are facing bigger issues out there such as drug abuse and the obsession with celebrities."
With a minimal set and using a screen to project images, the stage will have a modern day multi- media feel borrowing on MTV culture and the glossy images of celebrity media.
"It's about kids being able to look critically at the forces that are shaping them," Harris said. "It's refreshing and it's empowering. The show has a great message, and I think Pete Townshend is a genius. We are not using microphones, but we do advise ear plugs. Staying true to The Who, I want the audience to leave as they have been to a rock show."
Part of the appeal of "The Who's Tommy" is having a rock band, which is made up of both kids and professionals. "Brendon Freund is incredible on piano," Harris said. "He's a child prodigy."
The energy and excitement of the entire production is powerful. Performing this type of musical will not only attract both young and old audience due to its rock and roll legacy, "The Who's Tommy" is a timeless story dealing with modern day issues that need to be addressed.
"The cast feels they are part of something special, and Sara and I have worked together a lot over the years," Harris said. "She has a great sense of how to tell a story through dance, and she's hip and funky. We share an artistic vision."
Tickets for youth 18 and under are $5 and $10 for adults. For more information, call 726-5349 ext. 16.
"The Who's Tommy" contains mature themes and is recommended for audience members ages 11 and up. Parental guidance is suggested.
Play Bill
Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend
Booked by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff
Additional Music & Lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon
Directed by Freddie Harris
Music Directed by Alyssa Claffey
Choreographed by Sherry Horton and Sara Gorby
"The Who's Tommy" Principal Cast
Mrs. Walker .... Louisa Waycott
Captain Walker ... Joseph Zeman
Uncle Ernie ... MacKenzie Harbaugh
Overture Priest ... Bishop Craig Anderson
First Officer/Chorus ... Stephanie Sloan
Second Officer/Chorus ... Alex Kuntz
Lover/Local Lad/Chorus ... Lucas King
Ten-Year-Old Tommy ... Doug Defur
Tommy/Narrator ... Kevin Wade
Judge/Mrs. Simpspon/Chorus ... Kristy Kuntz
Cousin Katie/Nurse/Chorus ... Jessica Rice
Minister/Chorus ... Adriana Maniere
Hawker ... Brad Hershey
The Band
Piano ... Brendon Freund
Electric Guitar ... Mike Ward
Guitar... Nick Sloan
Guitar ... Nicol Wheeler
French Horn ... Laura Grabow
Bass ... Brad Hershey
Drums ... Tom Nash
St. Thomas Playhouse will perform ?The Who?s Tommy? at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum.
