The Who’s Tommy
date:Wednesday, July 23, 2008 time:8:00 PM venue:Muhlenberg College address:2400 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104 View map posted by:Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre
The classic '60s rock opera by The Who (a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event. The original production was staged in 1992 at the La Jolla Playhouse in California, where Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend sculpted the kaleidoscopic concept album by Townshend's former band into a stage show with passion and theatrical wizardry. With "Pinball Wizard," "See Me, Feel Me," "Sensation," "I'm Free," "Listening to You" and many more hits, the Broadway show garnered 5 Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards in 1993 under Des McAnuff’s direction.
Tommy’s amazing journey begins when the 4-year-old witnesses, through a mirror reflection, his father kill his mother's lover. The trauma leads Tommy to be deaf, dumb, and blind. As the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his relatives until he is discovered to posess an uncanny knack for playing pinball, becoming a media superstar- the pinball wizard. The ultimate “cure” however is not fame, but forgiveness.
The Who’s Tommy is being directed by James Peck, with musical direction by Ken Butler, and choreography by Karen Dearborn. Featured in the role of Tommy is Kennedy Kanagawa (above) graduated this year from Muhlenberg College and has beren featured in SMT's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Featured as Captain Walker is Gerard Lebeda, Guest Equity Artist; he last appeared on the Muhlenberg summer stage as Magaldi in Evita in 1995. Lebeda's professional credits include leading roles in When Pigs Fly, Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance and Jesus Christ Superstar, among others. Karrissa Harris, playing Mrs. Walker, is an Allentown native and a rising senior at Muhlenberg College; Patrick M. Brady, playing Uncle Ernie, is the choral director at Allen High School. Both have performed locally, including Civic Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Location: Paul C. Empie Theatre, Baker Center for the Arts
Cost Details
Single Ticket prices: Adult $34, Senior $30, Youth (under 17) $21.
Discount Tickets: First Week (Wed-Thu-Fri) of Kiss Me Kate and Tommy - Adult/Senior $30
Discount Tickets: Tuesday and Wednesday 8 p.m. - Adult/Senior $30
FAMILY DAY PERFORMANCE: SATURDAY 2 P.M. - 1 Youth ticket FREE with each paid adult or senior ticket for the same performance. Please note: TOMMY contains adult material and is not recommended for children (12 and under).
