Riverdale star Casey Cott will take on the title role in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ upcoming presentation of The Who’s Tommy. As previously announced, the semi-staged production, directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, will run April 24–29 at the Washington, D.C. venue’s Eisenhower Theater as part of the 2018–2019 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, Off-Broadway’s current Merrily We Roll Along) as Uncle Ernie.
Additional casting will be announced later.
This year 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 will also features sets and projections by Paul dePoo, costumes by Andrea Hood, lighting by Jake DeGroot, and sound design by Kai Harada.
Tommy is the final show in the Kennedy Center’s 2018–2019 Broadway Center Stage lineup, following last year's Little Shop of Horrors with Josh Radnor and Megan Hilty and last month's The Music Man with Norm Lewis, Jessie Mueller, and Rosie O'Donnell.
