The Who's Tommy

The Who’s Tommy (Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend, Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff) will run October 27 through November 20, 2016 at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre. After a five-year hiatus, Open Circle Theatre (OCT) bursts back onto the scene with this challenging piece based on the beloved rock opera of the 70’s. But if there is one thing OCT loves, it’s a challenge! Tommy uses driving rock rhythms to explore the story of a young boy traumatized by a violent act as he struggles through different stages of his recovery. With the show’s most recognizable song, Pinball Wizard stating, “This deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean Pinball.” OCT dives into the fray asking questions:

• How does violent crime victimization impact the disability community?
• What does it mean to be healed?
• How can a person deal with the extremes of villainy versus virtue that society applies to people with disabilities?

Part of OCT’s founding philosophy is that disability can enhance the artistic experience and inspire aesthetic innovation. Pete Townshend, the driving artistic voice behind The Who, uses Tommy’s status as “that deaf, dumb and blind boy” as a metaphor for the abuse of his childhood and his eventual struggle to find balance as a rock superstar. In this performance, audiences can explore with the artists on and off stage what happens when disability becomes more than a metaphor? What happens if, when Tommy turns around to speak for the first time, it’s in American Sign Language?  #DeafTalent

OCT’s Artistic Director Suzanne Richard (Jesus Christ Superstar, Helen Hayes Award Nomination) will direct the production.  Featuring Music Direction by Jake Null (2016 Helen Hayes Award Winner, for Avenue Q,), Choreography by Dance Exchange (Cassie Meador, Executive Artistic Director, and Matthew Cumbie, Associate Artistic Director), and Neil (Michael) Sprouse as Lead ASL Master.

The Who’s Tommy will be accessible to all audiences. OCT will be modifying the audience banks at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre to seat patrons in wheelchairs in an integrated and dispersed fashion. Sign language will be seamlessly incorporated in the show with signing ensemble members who will create characters who happen to communicate in sign or likewise singing characters who happen to understand/use sign.

At other points in the show, the production will incorporate real time captioning. There will also be audio described on demand at every performance for patrons who are blind or have low vision, as well as programs available online and a Braille copy at the theater.