Theater News

Casey Cott to Star in The Who's Tommy at the Kennedy Center

Christian Borle, Mandy Gonzales, and more Broadway veterans also join the Broadway Center Stage production.

Casey Cott will star as Tommy in the Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage production of The Who's Tommy''.
Casey Cott will star as Tommy in the Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage production of The Who's Tommy''.
(© David Gordon)

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced casting for its Broadway Center Stage production of The Who's Tommy, running April 24-29 in the Eisenhower Theater.

Casey Cott, star of the hit CW series Riverdale, will play the title role, alongside two-time Tony winner Christian Borle (Something Rotten!) as Captain Walker and Mandy Gonzales (Hamilton) as Mrs. Walker. The cast will also feature Manu Narayan (Merrily We Roll Along) as Uncle Ernie, The Voice alum Kimberly Nichole as the Gypsy, and Wesley Taylor (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Cousin Kevin. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing, and the human spirit. With music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend, and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon, this five-time Tony-winning musical tells the story of the pinball-playing, "deaf, dumb, and blind" boy who triumphs over adversities.

Josh Rhodes will direct and choreograph, with music direction by Lynne Shankel, set and projection design by Paul dePoo, lighting design by Jake DeGroot, costume design by Andrea Hood, sound design by Kai Harada.

The Who's Tommy will be the final Broadway Center Stage production of the 2018-19 season, following productions of Little Shop of Horrors and The Music Man.