“The Who’s TOMMY” Opens May 13th at East West Players featuring Deedee Magno Hall, Joseph Morales, Cliffton Hall, and Parvesh Cheena
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.
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. Previews are Thursday, November 6th through Saturday November 8th at 8pm and Sunday November 9th at 2pm. All preview seats are $28.
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.
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To: CALENDAR AND LISTING EDITORS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS – For the months of April, May, June 2015
The Who’s TOMMY
Book by Pete Townshend & Des McAnuff
Music & Lyrics by Pete Townshend
Additional Music & Lyrics by John Entwistle & Keith Moon
Directed by Snehal Desai
Musical Direction by Marc Macalintal
Choreography by Janet Roston
Featuring:
Joseph Morales (“In the Heights” Broadway, National Tour; “Bombay Dreams” Broadway) as Tommy
Deedee Magno Hall (“Miss Saigon” Broadway and International Tour; “Wicked” 1st National Tour) as Mrs. Walker
Cliffton Hall (“Miss Saigon” on Broadway, 1st National Tour and International Tour; “Wicked” 1st National Tour and San Francisco) as Captain Walker
Parvesh Cheena (NBC’s “Outsourced”) as Uncle Ernie
Araceli Prasarttongosoth
Van Brunelle
Michayla Brown
Ryan Castellino
Cesar Cipriano
Cailan Rose
Constance Jewel Lopez
Maxwel Corpuz
Michael Daniel Dashefsky
Christine De Chavez
Caitlyn Calfas
Marius Beltran
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.
WHEN:
May 7 – June 7, 2015
Preview performances: Thursday, May 7 – Saturday, May 9 at 8pm; Sunday May 10 at 2pm.
Opening Night: Wednesday, May 13 at 8pm; 7pm cocktail reception and post-show reception with cast and creative team. Call theater for availability.
Regular performance run: May 14 – June 7.
Special Pay-What-You-Can performance on Thursday, May 14.
Post Show discussion Sunday, May 24 immediately following the performance.
Wine Down Fridays: Complimentary wine for patrons 21+.
WHERE:
East West Players
David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts
120 Judge John Aiso Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets may be purchased online at eastwestplayers.org or by calling 213.625.7000. Regular tickets range from $43-58. Student, Senior, and Group discounts available. Dates, prices and details are subject to change.
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