CenterStage and J Michael’s Spa & Salon present The Who’s Tommy, the tale of a boy’s journey from pain to triumph has been called “the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in a theater.” This rocking show will serve as the explosive kick off to CenterStage’s 2015-16 Season, July 9-19. The show will also be the theme of the season kick-off party on June 27 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The party will feature a cocktail hour at which you can meet our sponsors while enjoying light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, a live musical performance by the CenterStage company featuring highlights from the upcoming season and a meet and greet where you can hobnob with the CenterStage artistic team and actors. The Who’s Tommy, in its original form was a landmark, multi-million copy selling concept album recorded in 1969. It was written and composed by The Who’s legendary guitarist Pete Townshend, one of the most influential songwriters of the last 30 years. Adapted for the stage by Townshend and Tony Award-winning director, Des McAnuff, The Who’s Tommy, winner of six Tony awards, opened on Broadway to rave reviews in 1993. Set in Britain between the end of World War II and the 1960s Tommy chronicles the adventures of Tommy Walker, who withdraws from the world following a traumatic experience in early childhood. While in his catatonia-like condition, Tommy demonstrates an extraordinary ability to play pinball. Eventually he re-emerges from his inner world, becomes a charismatic, “Pinball Wizard” and is turned into an unwilling hero who must live up to the demands of his followers. But is Tommy ready for super-stardom? “I remember seeing Tommy for the first time when the Broadway tour came through Louisville. It blew my mind so much, I came back two days later to see it again. I also had the good fortune to see it again on Broadway in its closing weekend,” Artistic Director John Leffert said. “This show is pure energy from the first downbeat to the last. The music, story and spectacle combine creating an electric theatrical experience that is difficult to match. It truly will blow your mind. I know it did mine.”
At each performance, CenterStage will collect money to benefit Childhelp, an organization that provides child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment programs. Michael Detmer, who is new to CenterStage, is Tommy; Josh Gilliam, who played Javert in Les Misérables will play Mr. Walker; Jessica Adamson, a long-time company member, will play Mrs. Walker. Adamson has had roles in Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, RENT and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Fulfilling Townshend’s prophetic lyric, “the crowd went crazy when Tommy hit the stage,” The Who’s Tommy is a masterpiece of contemporary American musical theater. The Who’s Tommy will start the 2015/16 CenterStage Season. A season kick-off party will be held on June 27. The party will feature a cocktail hour with the CenterStage sponsors while enjoying light refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, a live musical performance by the CenterStage company featuring highlights from the upcoming season and a meet and greet with the CenterStage artistic team and actors.
Tickets for this event are already sold out However, you can call Anne at 238-2773 to get on the waitlist. Tickets to see Tommy or a season ticket for the entire 2015/16 season can be purchased online at CenterStageJCC.org.