Robert Markus, Paul Nolan and More Star in Stratford Festival's THE WHO'S TOMMY, 5/30

Robert Markus, Paul Nolan and Jeremy Kushnier star in Des McAnuff's new Stratford Festival rock musical, The Who's Tommy, opening May 30 at the Avon Theatre in Ontario and running through October 19.

Tommy has music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Townshend and McAnuff, additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon.

Deprived of sight, hearing and speech by the shock of what he has witnessed as a child, young Tommy Walker seems lost to life - until he reveals an uncanny talent for the game of pinball. When his faculties are suddenly restored, Tommy is hailed as a living miracle - but will the fans who turn to him for enlightenment want to hear what he has to say?

Wayne Cilento (nominated for seven Tony Awards, winner of Tony for choreography of the Broadway production of The Who's Tommy, Drama Desk Award, Fred Astaire Award, and Olivier Award nomination for Best Choreography). Rick Fox is the music director. The Broadway production's original set designer (John Arnone) and costume designer (David C. Woolard) will also be in the Canadian production.

The Stratford cast features Markus as Tommy; Nolan as Cousin Kevin; Kushnier as Capt. Walker; Jewelle Blackman as Gypsy; Kira Guloien as Mrs. Walker; Steve Ross as Uncle Ernie; Matthew G. Brown as Specialist; Sean Alexander as Hauk Lover; Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Sally; Lee Siegel as Hawker; with Matt Alfano, Gabriel Antonacci, Matthew Armet, Stephen Cota, Larry Herbert, Keely Hutton, Robin Hutton, Julia Juhas, Monique Lund, Nicholas Nesbitt, Laurin Padolina, Katrina Reynolds, Julius Sermonia, Galen Johnson (Swing), Krista Leis (Swing), Jennifer Stewart (Understudy), Conor Bergauer as 10-year-old Tommy and Joshua Buchwald as 10-year-old Tommy.

For more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca.