The Iconic Who’s Tommy, is a rock opera musical, based on the Who’s landmark 1969 concept album, with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend and a book by Townshend and Des Mcanuff.
Overview:
The trauma: set in post-WW2 England, four-year-old Tommy Walker witnesses his returning father shoot and kill his mother’s new lover. Traumatized and instructed by his parents to pretend he saw, heard, and spoke nothing, Tommy retreats into a psychosomatic catatonic state—becoming deaf, mute, and blind. Abuse and isolation: growing up, Tommy endures years of neglect, bullying from his cousin Kevin, and abuse from his uncle Ernie. Medical and unconventional attempts to “cure” him—including an encounter with the acid queen—fail to reach him. Pinball prodigy: despite his sensory deprivation, tommy discovers an uncanny, supernatural talent for playing pinball, eventually defeating the world champion and rising to international fame as the “pinball wizard”. The miraculous cure: Tommy’s mother, frustrated and overwhelmed, smashes his reflection in a mirror. The shattering of the glass breaks his catatonia, instantly restoring his sight, speech, and hearing. Stardom and cult follower ship: instantly hailed as a messianic figure, Tommy turns his massive fame into a youth-driven movement and holiday camp, where his followers mimic his past isolation by wearing blindfolds, earplugs, and gags. Redemption: overwhelmed by the pressure and exploitation of celebrity life, Tommy realizes his cult has become a trap. He strips away the spectacle, rejects his acolytes, and seeks a path toward genuine human connection and reconciliation with his family.
Of course, the music is undeniable and has resonated in your head throughout the years and its inception. The key songs of the show are. “Overture”, “Pinball Wizard”, “Acid Queen”, “I’m Free”, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. Just being able to know every lyric without thinking about it is enough for me to have a very enjoyable experience. The dancing was also incredible, with very talented dancers.
Music supervision and additional arrangements – Ron Melrose, choreographer- Lorin Latarro, casting the TRC company, Merri Sugarman, CSA Spencer Gauldoni, CSA general management work light productions. Courtney King – technical supervision, Port City technical Ryan George, hair design – Cassie J. Willaims. Music direction/conductor Calvin Hitchcock, production stage manager Jayden Dudley, company manager – Michael Colgan, lighting design – Amanda Zieve, scenic design – David Korins, projection design – Peter Nigrini, costume design Sarafina Bush, sound design Gareth Owen, associate director Michael Bello, Associate Choreographer – Dee Tomasetta , movement associate – Sarah Parker, fight director – Steve Rankin, booking and marketing direction Bond Theatrical. directed by Des Mcanuff. Orchestra music director/conductor/keys—Calvin Hitchcock associate music director/keys—Gregory Franz guitar—Talia Rose; bass—Cat Barker; drums—Kelvin Newell keyboard and drum programming: Randy Cohen – keyboards. LLC Ableton designer: Dana Haynes Associate Ableton designer: Ethan Deppe guitar fx programming/additional tracks: Cameron Rasmussen music preparation: Anixter Rice music service / Russ Anixter.
Some of the Cast Short Bios:
Collin Matthew Flanagan he/him (Tommy) is a graduate of Elon Mt. ‘25. Regional: Fulton Theatre, Mt Wichita, Gulf Shore.
Mia Bergstrom she/her (Mrs. Walker) is thrilled and thankful to be here! Tour: elf. Regional: sister act (sister Mary Robert, John W. Engleman Theatre), Ragtime (Goodspeed Opera House), Jersey Boys (Pioneer Theatre Company), Frozen (North Shore Music Theatre), Escape to Margaritaville (Ogunquit Playhouse), Come From Away (Asolo Rep).
Zach Fogel (Captain Walker) is making his national tour debut! He is honored to perform the brilliant work of Pete Townshend and Des Mcanuff on stages across North America. TV: “The Land” (Hulu). Select regional theater: Billy Cane in Bright Star (Candlelight Pavilion), Richard Bailey in Kinky Boots (3-D Theatricals). Thanks to Brian Johnson and Vicki Schindel for the gift of theater.
Peyton Cassity (ensemble, Uncle Ernie). National tour debut! Credits: Footloose (Ren), Wedding Singer (Ens), South Pacific (Ens), Jersey Boys (Swing), and Tootsie (Ens).
Kyle McFalls he/him (ensemble, Cousin Kevin) attended the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts where he studied musical theatre before making his professional debut.
Audrey Fisher she/her (ensemble, Sally Simpson) is thrilled to be back on tour! National Tour: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Reno/ Phyllis Who). Cruise: Mamma Mia! (Sophie), Six (bsh cover).
Mari Grossmann she/her (ensemble, little Tommy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut! Recent: Rocky Horror (Janet) ptc, The Snow Goose (Harper) Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals. WCSU alum.
Kris Lyons (ensemble, acid queen) is making her national tour debut! Recent credits: premiers of Ain’t Too Proud and Little Shop of Horrors. Regional; Lizzie: the musical. Proud Cleveland native.
The technical aspects of the show were very futuristic, using lights and makeshift frames for many of the entrances and exits by the characters. The strong graphics. from their projection devices, made for one very interesting show as well. There was so much movement and action, you really had to stay focused and on your toes during the whole 1 hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission.
Its worth the effort and money to go see a show where many of the songs and subjects come racing back into your mind, running now through November 15, 2026.
The Hollywood Pantages Theater
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles California 90028
(323) 468-1770
https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/
*Note Some Content Was Taken Off Of Their Website.
