Passion, Celebrity & Redemption: Electrifying Rock Opera!
July 9 - 27, 2008
The classic '60s rock opera by The Who (a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event. Rocking to one of the most popular albums of all time and representing a collaboration of artists who were again honored this month by VHI Television, TOMMY is both a moving, theatrical musical and a concert spectacle of grand proportions. The original production was staged in 1992 at the La Jolla Playhouse in California, where Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend sculpted the kaleidoscopic concept album by Townshend's former band into a stage show with passion and theatrical wizardry. With "Pinball Wizard," "See Me, Feel Me," "Sensation," "I'm Free," "Listening to You" and many more hits, the spectacular show that arrived on Broadway garnered 5 Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards in 1993 under Des McAnuff’s magnificent direction.
The 1993 New York Times review of the original Broadway production declared, “Together, they have dusted off this rock-and-roll chestnut and coaxed forth a daring Broadway musical….From the opening note of the overture, which startles the audience into attention before the house lights have dimmed, this Tommy exerts more visceral control over its audience than most Broadway musicals can.“ Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre is proud to include The Who's TOMMY as a new classic of the musical theatre. 2008 Reading Eagle Review
Tommy at age 4 (Tristan Mitchell) with Captain and Mrs. Walker. Cousin Kevin (Scott Ward Abernathy) teaches
Tommy to play pinball. Cousin Kevin and his friend (Daniel Lagstein) argue about Tommy's pinball talents.
"TOMMY is at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for
two generations - an entertainment juggernaut that lifts the audience right out of its seats.
TOMMY is the first musical in years to feel completely alive in its own moment".
–Frank Rich, New York Times Review, April 23, 1993.
MUHLENBERG SUMMER MUSIC THEATRE
brings this sensational story to the stage
Tommy’s amazing journey begins when the 4-year-old witnesses, through a mirror reflection, his father kill his mother's lover. The trauma leads Tommy to be deaf, dumb, and blind. As the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his relatives until he is discovered to posess an uncanny knack for playing pinball, becoming a media superstar- the pinball wizard. The Walker’s go through a series of failed attempts at returning an adolescent Tommy to normal. He is eventually cured when his mother smashes the fateful mirror in frustration, but his journey is far from over. Tommy emerges as the icon of teenagers desperate to break free of their pain, and finds himself beseiged by fans. The ultimate “cure” however is not fame, but forgiveness. In adapting Tommy for the stage, McAnuff and Townshend concentrated on character development, dramatic momentum and creating a song order that made more sense. The show's speed and its seamless structure are two of the most unusual aspects. The raging musical journey of rock music, energetic dance, and theatrical spectacle helps audiences to explore themes of being an outsider. Says Peck, “the play is sad and angry about the fact that our society tends to scapegoat people who don't conform to established norms. Further, it suggests that those very outsiders often have access to insights unavailable to people who are supposedly ‘normal.’ They can see into the truth of human existence in extraordinary and unique ways, perhaps precisely because they don't fit in.”
RIGHT: Tommy (Kennedy Kanagawa) is awakened when his mother shatters the mirror in which the
4-year old boy witnessed a murder.
The Who’s Tommy is being directed by James Peck, with musical direction by Ken Butler, and choreography by Karen Dearborn. Featured in the role of Tommy is Kennedy Kanagawa (above), who graduated this year from Muhlenberg College and has beren featured in SMT's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Featured as Captain Walker is Gerard Lebeda, Guest Equity Artist; he last appeared on the Muhlenberg summer stage as Magaldi in Evita in 1995. Lebeda's professional credits include leading roles in When Pigs Fly, Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance and Jesus Christ Superstar, among others. Karrissa Harris, playing Mrs. Walker, is a rising senior at Muhlenberg College; she has performed at the Allentown Academy of the Arts and Civic Theatre. Patrick M. Brady, playing Uncle Ernie, is the choral director at the Arts Academy. Cousin Kevin is Scott Ward Abernathy, a senior at Kutztown University.
Muhlenberg’s director immerses the audience in Tommy’s world, “Tommy is asking the big questions. What is it to be ‘normal?’ Is it even desirable? What are the guises of evil?” asks Peck. “In a world of hardship, where do we encounter beauty? In a world of science and technology, where do we encounter the divine? Is your family your greatest strength or your greatest liability? Is it possible to redeem the past? … I think Tommy offers the possibility for that sort of rich and complex experience, alongside its driving, ebullient rock and roll spirit.”
Pete Townshend’s electrifying tale of a young boy’s journey from tragedy to triumph turns one of rock’s timeless albums into an epic musical theatre sensation. This exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit is composed with soaring arias and impressive choral numbers as well as raging authentic rock music. Like classical opera, the story traffics larger-than-life characters and emotions.
ABOVE: 4-year old Tommy (Tristan Mitchell) is examined by doctors. Uncle Ernie (Patrick M. Brady) with Tommy,
age 10 (Daniel Youngelman). Captain (Gerard Lebeda) and Mrs. Walker (Karissa Harris) in the media frenzy.
Tommy (Kennedy Kanagawa) is finally "free" when the mirror is broken.
Cousin Kevin (Scott Ward Abernathy) leans on Tommy. Fans (Jessica Alex and Casey Gill) try to break through
the crowd at Tommy's Pinball Wizard Concert. Sally Simpson (Casey Elizabeth Gill) holds her fan photo of Tommy.
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Scenic Design by Curtis Dretsch. Lighting by John McKernon. Costumes by Julie Heneghan.
MUHLENBERG SUMMER MUSIC THEATRE 
The raging musical journey of rock music, energetic dance, and theatrical spectacle helps audiences to explore themes of being an outsider. Says Peck, “the play is sad and angry about the fact that our society tends to scapegoat people who don't conform to established norms. Further, it suggests that those very outsiders often have access to insights unavailable to people who are supposedly ‘normal.’ They can see into the truth of human existence in extraordinary and unique ways, perhaps precisely because they don't fit in.”
Muhlenberg’s director immerses the audience in Tommy’s world, “Tommy is asking the big questions. What is it to be ‘normal?’ Is it even desirable? What are the guises of evil?” asks Peck. “In a world of hardship, where do we encounter beauty? In a world of science and technology, where do we encounter the divine? Is your family your greatest strength or your greatest liability? Is it possible to redeem the past? … I think Tommy offers the possibility for that sort of rich and complex experience, alongside its driving, ebullient rock and roll spirit.” 
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