The dazzling rock opera "The Who's Tommy" chronicles the growth and spiritual awakening of Tommy Walker, a young boy who becomes deaf, mute and blind after a traumatic event — and breaks out of his past playing pinball. The musical is blossoming at Interlochen Arts Academy for a series of productions next weekend.
Interlochen Arts Academy students Isaac Silvers, who plays the titular role of Tommy Walker, and Ian Aarts, a bass player, spoke to IPR's Christy L'Esperance during Morning Classical about their involvement in bringing the unique play to life.
"The music is so engaging. It's so fun to play," says Aarts, for whom this is the first time playing in a musical. "The pit band is so excited to play all these songs that it really makes it feel like two hours worth of fun jamming with your friends."
Onstage, Tommy's lack of senses makes him a particularly challenging character to play.
"[Tommy] is in this kind of cage," says Silvers. "The hardest part is actually not reacting to what other people are doing around you."
Even though Silvers has to sing outside his vocal range and hit high notes, he enjoys connecting with the humanity and growth of Tommy. For Silvers, the biggest life lesson from the musical is the power of human connection.
"You gain connection through other people," says Silvers. "And you can use it uplift yourself and uplift other people."
Instead of performing from the orchestra pit, the rock band will be playing from stage right, embodying the intense fervor and energy of Tommy's growth onstage. Like the musical's protagonist, Aarts, a pop vocal major, has grown from his experience at Interlochen, culminating in a milestone performance with the pit band before he graduates.
"It was something really outside my comfort zone before, and now I'm in a completely different spot," reflects Aarts.
"The Who's Tommy" will be presented at Interlochen's Corson Auditorium on Friday, Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m.
