The Who’s Tommy Opens at East West Players May 13
This the press release for the East West Players production of the Who’s TOMMY. Now I usually don’t post an entire press release but this one is a bit special to me. My daughter is playing 10-year old Tommy. Can I get a “what what” from everyone?
I’m incredibly proud of my daughter for having the guts to audition for it. That she got it is a great bonus. When I was that age there was no way in hell I would have auditioned for a professional theatre production.
Book your tickets now. Come on down and see my little monkey sing some Who songs.
East West Players Present The Who’s Tommy
East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, continues its 50th Anniversary Season, Golden, with The Who’s TOMMY, Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend, Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, Additional Music and Lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. The Who’s TOMMY was originally produced on Broadway by Pace Theatrical Group and Dodger Productions with Kardana Productions.
The production is directed by Snehal Desai (EWP’s A Nice Indian Boy) with musical direction by Marc Macalintal (EWP’s Chess,Krunk Fu Battle Battle) and choreography by Janet Roston (Ovation Award and NAACP Award winner for The Color Purple at Celebration Theatre). Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.
The Who’s TOMMY cast features Joseph Morales (In The Heights Broadway & National Tour, Bombay Dreams Broadway) as Tommy, Deedee Magno Hall, recently from If/Then on Broadway (Miss Saigon Broadway & International Tour, Wicked 1st National Tour) as Mrs. Walker, Cliffton Hall (Miss Saigon Broadway, 1st National Tour & International Tour, Wicked 1st National Tour) as Captain Walker, and Parvesh Cheena (NBC’s Outsourced) as Uncle Ernie. Also featured are Araceli Prasarttongosoth, Van Brunelle, Michayla Brown, Ryan Castellino, Cesar Cipriano, Cailan Rose, Constance Jewell Lopez, Maxwel Corpuz, Michael Daniel Dashefsky, Christine De Chavez, Caitlyn Calfas, Marius Beltran and Tina Nguyen.
About The Who’s TOMMY: Deprived of sight, hearing and speech by the shock of what he had witnessed as a child, young Tommy Walker seems lost to life – until he reveals an uncanny talent for the game of pinball. When his lost senses are suddenly restored, Tommy is hailed as a living miracle. The classic rock musical arrives for the first time at East West Players in an electrifying new production.
“We are thrilled to produce The Who’s TOMMY on this auspicious occasion of EWP’s 50th Anniversary because The Who is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year,” says Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director. “This cast represents the diverse landscape of America today and has talent that will knock your socks off. This production will bring a unique sound and look like no other production of TOMMY.”
The design team includes: Set design by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz, costume design by Jenny Foldenauer, lighting design by Karyn Lawrence, sound design by Cricket Meyers, projections design by Sean Cawelti, and props by Marissa Bergman. Stage Manager is Ondina V. Dominguez.
Ticket and Show Info
Opening Night for The Who’s TOMMY is Wednesday, May 13th at 8pm and includes a 7pm pre-performance cocktail reception, and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Call theater for availability. “Pay-What-You-Can” Performance is on Thursday, May 14th at 8pm. A special talkback with the cast and creative team is on Sunday, May 24th immediately following the performance. The production runs until June 7th.
Regular performances run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets may be purchased online at eastwestplayers.org or by calling 213.625.7000. Regular tickets range from $43-58. Student and Senior discounts available. Dates, prices and details are subject to change.
All performances will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center of the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
