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Overview

Synopsis

After witnessing the murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into a catatonic state. As young Tommy floats through life in post World War II England, he suffers abuse from sadistic relatives and neighbors. In his adolescence, Tommy discovers a talent for playing pinball and is catapulted into stardom. When his mother, Mrs. Walker is finally able to break his catatonic state, Tommy is transformed into an international pinball superstar, inspiring youth around the world. The Who’s Tommy is a 5-time Tony Award-winning musical. This dazzling rock spectacular will exhilarate audiences with a story of hope, healing, and the human spirit.

Show Information

Book
Pete Townshend , Des McAnuff
Music
Pete Townshend
Lyrics
Pete Townshend
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Based on the 1969 rock opera "Tommy" by The Who
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1992
Genres
Drama
Settings
Spectacle
Time & Place
London, 1940
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Rock Combo
Dancing
Heavy
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
College/University, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Community Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Child, Early Teen, Mature Adult Characters

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Tommy/Narrator

Lead

Male

Tenor

Mrs. Nora Walker

Lead

Female

Soprano

Captain Walker

Lead

Male

Tenor

Tommy (Age 10)

Lead

Male

Soprano

Tommy (Age 4)

Lead

Either Gender

Soprano

Cousin Kevin

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Uncle Ernie

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Gypsy, The Acid Queen

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Sally Simpson

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

The Hawker

Featured

Male

Baritone

The Lover

Featured

Male

Tenor

The Specialist

Featured

Male

Baritone

Lads and Lasses

Featured

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Pinball Champs (2)

Featured

Male

Baritone

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

ACT ONE

  • "Overture" – Company
  • "Captain Walker" – Officers
  • "It's a Boy" – Nurses and Mrs. Walker
  • "We've Won" – Captain Walker and Allied Soldiers
  • "Twenty One" / "What About the Boy?" – Mrs. Walker and Boyfriend / Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker
  • "Amazing Journey" – Tommy
  • "Courtroom Scene" – Judge
  • "Sparks" – Instrumental
  • "Amazing Journey" (Reprise) – Tommy
  • "Christmas" / "See Me, Feel Me" – Captain Walker, Mrs. Walker, Minister, Minister's Wife and Ensemble / Tommy
  • "Do You Think It's Alright?" – Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker
  • "Fiddle About" (music and lyrics by John Entwistle) – Uncle Ernie and Ensemble
  • "See Me, Feel Me" (Reprise) – Tommy
  • "Cousin Kevin" (music and lyrics by John Entwistle) – Cousin Kevin and Ensemble
  • "Sensation" – Tommy and Ensemble
  • "Sparks (Reprise)"
  • "Eyesight to the Blind" (lyrics by Sonny Boy Williamson II, music and additional lyrics by Pete Townshend) – Hawker, Harmonica Player and Ensemble
  • "The Acid Queen" – The Gypsy
  • "Pinball Wizard" – Local Lads, Cousin Kevin and Ensemble

ACT TWO

  • "Underture (Entr'acte)" – Ensemble
  • "It's a Boy (Reprise)" / "There's a Doctor" – Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker
  • "Go to the Mirror!" / "Listening to You" – Specialist, Specialist's Assistant, Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker / Tommy, Tommy (Age 10) and Tommy (Age 4)
  • "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" – Local Lads
  • "I Believe My Own Eyes" – Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker
  • "Smash the Mirror" – Mrs. Walker
  • "I'm Free" – Tommy
  • "Streets of London 1961–3 (Miracle Cure)" – News Vendor and Local Lads
  • "Sensation (Reprise)" – Tommy and Ensemble
  • "I'm Free" (Reprise) / "Pinball Wizard" (Reprise) – Tommy and Company
  • "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (music and lyrics credited to Keith Moon) – Uncle Ernie
  • "Sally Simpson" – Cousin Kevin, Security Guards, Sally Simpson, Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Simpson
  • "Welcome" – Tommy and Ensemble
  • "Sally Simpson's Question" – Sally Simpson, Tommy
  • "We're Not Gonna Take It" – Tommy and Ensemble
  • "See Me, Feel Me" (Final Reprise) / "Listening to You" (Reprise) – Tommy and Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Emma Houlahan

Emma Houlahan

Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.