New generation tackle The Who's Tommy
See me, feel me, heal me... from the legendary band ‘The Who’ comes the outrageously entertaining rock musical TOMMY. Directed by James Wenley in conjunction with The University of Auckland’s Stage Two Productions and Theatre of Love, this exciting explosion of dance, music and colour bursts onto the Musgrove stage.
Showcasing local young talent Chanel Turner, Phillip White, Omar Al-Sobky, Paul Fagamalo, and up and coming singing sensation Sam Verlinden as young Tommy, who, after witnessing a tragic event becomes deaf, dumb and blind before his transformation into a pinball champion and rockstar celebrity.
Based on The Who’s classic 1969 album and 1975 film, the musical features the timeless hits "Pinball Wizard", "Eyesight to the Blind", "Sensation", "I’m Free", "Listening to You" and "Acid Queen".
Accompanied by Tommy's wicked Cousin Kevin, fiddling Uncle Ernie, the Gypsy Acid Queen, the Pinball Wizard, and little Sally Simpson, travel with us on an amazing journey from WWII Britain to the swinging sixties and be reawakened!
Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend
Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff
Additional Music and Lyrics by John Entwhistle and Keith Moon
Originally produced on Broadway by Pace Theatrical Group & Dodger Productions with Kardana Productions Inc
Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre
Wed 30 Sept until Wed 07 Oct 2009 at 8.00pm Sunday 04 Oct at 2.00pm and 6.30pmTelephone bookings: (09) 308 2383
maidmentbooking@auckland.ac.nz www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz Publicity: s2.theatre@gmail.com
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James WenleyJames is an independent critic and writer for his Auckland Theatre Blog Theatre Scenes (http://www.theatrescenes.co.nz), and is a producer and director for 'Theatre of Love' (http://www.theatreoflove.co.nz).
He began reviewing theatre for Craccum Magazine in 2008, and was the Theatre Editor 2009-2010 before establishing TheatreScenes.co.nz in 2011. In 2010 he completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Drama from the University of Auckland and is currently studying towards his Masters.
He has directed and produced productions of Macbeth and The Who’s Rock Opera TOMMY at the Musgrove Studio, and was the Assistant Director for Auckland Theatre Company’s Young & Hungry smash hit ‘Fitz Bunny: Lust for Glory in 2010’. He was president of Auckland University's Stage Two Productions 2009-2010 and has produced three seasons of the short play program ‘Stir Fried Plays’, as well as ‘The Libertine’ and David Mamet’s ‘Sexual Perversity in Chicago’.
James’s latest production for Theatre of Love was the NZ debut of Jailbait by American playwright Deirdre O’Connor at Galatos Upper Lounge in May 2011, which he also directed. Theatreview’s Lillian Richards said it was “Mesmerizing, with suspension of disbelief achieved, I think this is a play that deserves to be seen.”
In 2011 he has been involved with the Producing Project - a joint initiative between Dance Studies NICAI University of Auckland, DANZ and MIC Toi Rerehiko to train and develop Producers. After attending workshops in Producing (Felicity Letcher), Marketing (Christine Young), Publicity (Rachel Lorimer) and Lighting (Sean Curham), the team has produced three seasons of dance shows featuring short works from established and emerging dance artists. His specific responsibilities where as Technical Manager (Taste Me, Galatos, June), Producer (Hear Me, Gundry Street, July) and Curator (Love Me, Galatos, August).
Through working with Lighting Mentor Sean Curham in this project, James was approached to produce the final work in Sean’s experimental Ghosting Series Are You Scared of Me? at the Corbans Estate Arts Centre in July 2011.
In 2012 he is producing Theatre of Love's 'Season of Obsession', working closely with established and emerging local playwrights.
Contact James: theatreoflove@gmail.com
