HFCC presents the rock opera Tommy April 16 - 25

HFCC presents rock opera Tommy Apr. 16 - 26

Henry Ford Community College's Fine Arts and Fitness Division presents the smash hit rock opera 'Tommy' Apr. 16 - 25 in the Adray Auditorium of the Mackenzie Fine Arts Center, 5101 Evergreen Road in Dearborn. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students with ID and $8 per seat for groups of 10 or more. For more information or ticket reservations, call (313) 845-9817 or email Gerry Dzuiblinski at gadzuiblinski@hfcc.edu. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

Based on the music of the Who’s 1969 double album, dubbed the first rock opera because of its extensive storyline, 'Tommy' follows the life of a boy who becomes deaf, dumb and blind and loses his interest in life after witnessing a murder. The musical chronicles Tommy’s tumultuous life following World War II through the early 1960s as he encounters abuse and ridicule and even fame as a pinball wizard. However, fame is not kind to Tommy, and he must still learn what is truly important in life.

James Dizmang of Dearborn Heights stars as the adult Tommy. Playing younger versions of Tommy are Fraser Stephen of Redford and Mel Marks of Dearborn. Christopher Gorno of Brownstown Township plays Tommy’s father, Captain Walker. Tommy’s mother is portrayed by Shardai Davis of Dearborn. Scott Wilding of Dearborn Heights plays the abusive Uncle Ernie. Cousin Kevin is played by Steve Nazarek of Plymouth. Paris Butler of Detroit is the Hawker, and Stephanie Leon of Dearborn is cast as the Gypsy Queen. Rounding out the cast are Mandy Nameth of Dearborn as Sally Simpson and Miekyle Turner of Romulus as Mrs. Walker’s lover.

Directed by Gerry Dzuiblinski of Southfield, the play also features a 10-member band conducted by musical director G. Kevin Dewey of Dearborn.