The Kennedy Center's semi-staged concert production of The Who’s Tommy, directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, began performances in Washington, D.C,. April 24. The presentation, starring Riverdale’s Casey Cott in the title role, is scheduled to run through April 29 as part of the Kennedy Center’s Broadway Center Stage series.
Joining Cott are Tony winner Christian Borle (Falsettos, Something Rotten!) and Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton, In the Heights) as Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker, with Wesley Taylor (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Cousin Kevin, Kimberly Nichole (The Voice) as the Gypsy (a.k.a. the Acid Queen), and Manu Narayan (My Fair Lady, Merrily We Roll Along) as Uncle Ernie.
Flip through photos of the production below:
Rounding out the cast of The Who’s Tommy are Olutayo Bosede, Charl Brown, Rory Donovan, Declan Fennell, Samantha Gershman, Mykal Kilgore, Hudson Loverro, Taylor Iman Jones, Nick Martinez, Michael Milkanin, Trina Mills, Khori Michelle Petinaud, Tiernan Tunnicliffe, Matthew Varvar, Kaleb Wells, Sharrod Williams, and Kristin Yancy.
2019 marks the 50th anniversary of The Who’s original concept album for the rock opera, about a “deaf, dumb, and blind” boy who overcomes his disabilities with the help of ace pinball skills. The rock band’s Pete Townshend penned the score, as well as the book alongside Des McAnuff; the show also features additional music and lyrics by The Who’s John Entwistle and Keith Moon.
Lynne Shankel serves as musical director for the D.C. engagement. The production also features sets and projections by Paul dePoo, costumes by Andrea Hood, lighting by Jake DeGroot, and sound design by Kai Harada.
