The Who’s Tommy at Penrith Panthers

The Who’s Tommy is rapidly heading into production week, playing at Penrith Panthers from May 27, 2015, and no one is more excited than the three diversely talented leads.

The story of the deaf, dumb and blind pinball wizard is getting a rock concert facelift in this Blue Mountains Musical Society production with giant audio visual content, a Coachella vibe and the band stepping into the spotlight. Luckily the lead actor Liam Gray feels quite at home with the band having played previously in Blue Mountains shows, stepping out of the orchestra pit for the first time to play Tommy.

“This if the first musical I've been cast for,”says Liam. “I’ve learnt so much and have had more fun than I could've imagined during this show. It’s a show full of energy and it’s truly been an incredible experience being a part of it.”

Despite it being his first show, 19 year old Liam is an experienced performer, a regular fixture at many local restaurants, clubs and other venues across the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney.

“I love the topics this show touches on,”Liam continues “some of which I feel need to be confronted head on and addressed properly, with themes that are just as relevant today as when the show was first produced.”

Another experienced performer despite his young age is 13 year old Pedro Donoso, playing ten year old Tommy. Pedro is a talented dancer and acrobat, currently attending Nepean Performing Arts High School and is enjoying the challenge that this role is giving him. “Sometimes it is really difficult pretending to be deaf and blind, keeping in my bubbly humour”, explains Pedro, “but when I break out with my dancing, the one thing I do best, it’s so much fun.”Luckily there has been plenty of opportunity in this show full of high octane dance numbers for him to show off his acrobatics and dance prowess. “When we are all together [on stage] it is spectacular.”

The trio is rounded out by 7 year old Jonah Blackwell, playing Tommy at four years old. A natural performer, Jonah made his debut on stage last November in Blue Mountains Musical Society’s Cats.

His mother Bec Blackwell, is also a talented performer and is enjoying seeing her son grow on stage as a performer. “After his first show, Jonah definitely caught the bug, he is always disappointed to leave rehearsals early and is always excited to go back.”Bec is featured as a dancer in the show, and has also choreographed the well known “Pinball Wizard”scene. “The music, the choreography, the direction and the talented cast have been so much fun. I’m glad that Jonah gets to share in this as well”, she says.

“I have loved doing some acting in this show,”says Jonah “I have loved meeting lots of new people and the music is really cool!”

The Who’s Tommy opens at Penrith Panthers on the 27th of May, 2015 for 5 days only. For tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au or call 4720 5555.

Images: Liam Gray in rehearsals; Jonah Blackwell Pedro Donoso and Liam Gray; Beck Blackwell in rehearsals; and Liam Gray and the cast perform at Springwood Foundation Day.

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