The Who’s TOMMY for Mosman
Mosman Musical Society (NSW) presents Pete Townshend’s rock musical TOMMY at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood from June 19 to 27, 2015.
After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatised into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbours. As an adolescent, he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.
The classic '70s rock opera by The Who was translated firstly to the cinema by cult director Ken Russell and then to the stage by Des McAnuff. Hit songs include “Pinball Wizard”, “I’m Free” and “Acid Queen”.
Mosman Musical Society, Australia's oldest musical society, is presenting a fully staged original version of Tommy at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood, from June 19 to 27, 2015. Tommy is directed by Anthony Young with assistant direction by Jody Rose, musical direction by Jessica Manning and choreography by Lisa Frisina. Mr Young was very keen to bring Tommy back to Sydney. "The production is not often staged despite winning 6 Tony Awards and playing on Broadway in 1993 for 899 performances before being revised in 1996 on the West End," Mr Young said.
The production features Off-Broadway performer Tim Garnham as Tommy. Mr Garnham is next performing in The Punch & Judy Show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Daisy Laurance Johnson plays Mrs Walker, George Hannaford is Captain Walker, James Parberry as Uncle Ernie, Sam Ducker as Cousin Kevin, Rebekah Reynolds as Sally Simpson and Elizabeth Duong as The Gypsy Queen. The production also features Bobby Babbin, Jake Buratti, Robert Deacon, Randall Mettam, Jason Stewart, Josh Adams, Shakil Ahmed, Adrian Konarski, Susan Boyle, Julia Armstrong, Jolien Dirven, Chloe Perik and Pamela Allen. Newcomers Charlie Jackson and Oliver Barbarich feature as Tommy aged 4 and Tommy aged 10.
Featuring a 7 piece band live on stage, The Who's TOMMY is both rock opera and emotional story telling with themes of family, isolation, abuse, idolism, and forgiveness.
Tickets are on sale now at Zeniththeatre.com.au
Music and Lyrics - PETE TOWNSHEND
Book by PETE TOWNSHEND & DES MCANUFF
Additional music and Lyrics by JOHN ENTWISTLE and KEITH MOON
Originally produced on Broadway by PACE THEATRE GROUP and DODGER PRODUCTIONS with Karana Productions.
by arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)
Warning: The production contains Adult Themes and may contain haze and strobe effects.
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