STAGE TUBE: First Look at Highlights of THE WHO'S TOMMY at Aurora's Paramount Theatre
By: Christina Mancuso Jan. 22, 2015
Continuing its rapid ascent to the top of Chicago's musical theater landscape, Aurora's Paramount Theatre follows its smash hits CATS and Mary Poppins withThe Who's Tommy, a story of hope, healing and human spirit, filled with soaring anthems and bursting ballads, mind-exploding images and pulsating dance numbers. Check out a first look at highlights below!
Music and lyrics are by rock legend Pete Townshend. Book is by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff. Additional music and lyrics are by John Entwistleand Keith Moon. The 1993 Broadway production was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won five, including Best Choreography and Original Score thanks to iconic rock songs including "Pinball Wizard," "See Me" and "I'm Free."
Paramount Artistic Director Jim Corti, the director behind Paramount's critically acclaimed smash hits RENT, Miss Saigon, Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady, will once again direct.
Music director and conductoris Tom Vendafreddo, fresh from music directing the company's holiday-season hit Mary Poppins.
Brock Clawson, a 2014 Joffrey Ballet Contemporary Choreographer, makes his Paramount debut as choreographer.
Devin DeSantis, no stranger to starring roles, and so fantastic as Dr. Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein at Drury Lane, makes his Paramount debut as Tommy.
The principal cast also includes David Schlumpf and Hillary Marren, also making their Paramount debuts as Tommy's parents, Captain and Mrs. Walker. Jake Klinkhammer (Rooster in Paramount's Annie) plays drunken pervert Uncle Ernie.Liam Quealy (Skimbleshanks in CATS) is bully Cousin Kevin. Meghan Murphy(Joanne in RENT) is the Acid Queen. Lillie Cummings plays Tommy's #1 fan, Sally Simpson.The Who's Tommy starts previews at the Paramount on January 14. Press opening is Saturday, January 17 at 8 p.m. Regular performances continue through February 15 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. Show times areWednesday at 1:30 p.m. and
7 p.m.; Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; andSunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are only $41 to $54.
To purchase, go to ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or visit the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 2 hours prior to evening performances. Tommy is rated PG-13.
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