Stephen Brian Patterson Takes Over as 'Captain Walker' in Stratford's TOMMY

Stephen BrIan Patterson has taken over as 'Captain Walker' in TOMMY at the Stratford Festival. He began his run on August 10; original cast member Jeremy Kushnier left the role on August 4.

Patterson joins Robert Markus and Paul Nolan in Des McAnuff's new Stratford Festival rock musical, The Who's Tommy, at the Avon Theatre in Ontario 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; Patterson 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.

Patterson is also appearing this season as 'Mordcha' in Fiddler on the Roof. He has appeared in past StratfoRD Productions of Snoopy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Wanderlust, Camelot, Jesus Christ Superstar, As You Like It, and Jacques Brel. He is known for his portrayal of 'Marius' in LES MISERABLES on Broadway and in the U.S. national tour, as well as his turn playing 'Laurie' in the 1st National Tour of Little Women.

For more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca.

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