The Who’s Tommy
Cast of The Who’s Tommy
Jon Berry
(Narrator/Tommy)
Born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Dayton, OH, Jon Berry has been acting in collegiate and professional theater for over 8 years. After attending Wright State University and working in both student films and plays he moved to Wilmington to pursue a career as a professional actor. He is currently a student at the Insight School of Acting. Some previous credits include Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, Peter Evans in Bug, Harold Dobbs in Proof, Carmen Ghia in The Producers, and Ash in Evil Dead: The Musical. He recently appeared as Fred Gailey in the Thalian production of Miracle On 34th Street.
Bibis Ellison
(Gypsy)
Bibis Ellison is an award winning North Carolina born artist. She has used her unique, powerful voice to move audiences all over the US and Mexico. She performs with the 'Bibis Ellison Band' doing energetic covers of everyone from Florence and The Machine to Pat Benatar and Janis Joplin to Stevie Wonder. She also has a piano and vocal duo. That reinterprets everyone from Marvin Gaye to Mama Cass and Adele to Aretha Franklin. She writes and composes original material as well. She has made numerous television appearances, most recently on the US version of X-Factor.
Maggie Miller
(Mrs. Walker)
Maggie Miller is thrilled to be working with City Stage again after a brief hiatus to play the role of "Mom." Favorite Wilmington credits include Doris Walker in Miracle on 34th Street, Jan in Pillow Talk, Gillian in To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, Ann in All My Sons, and RENT. Special thanks to David, Chiaki and Justin for this amazing opportunity and the rest of the hard working cast and crew. All of her love goes to her two favorite men - her husband Hank and her one year old son Henry.
Anna Gamel
(Sally Simpson)
This is Anna's fifth show with CityStage. Her past shows include "Monty Python's Spamalot" (Ensemble), "Avenue Q" (Puppeteer), "Godspell" (Robin), and "Chicago" (Pop/Ensemble). She was also seen as Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Shelby in "Steel Magnolias", and Hunch in "Catastropolis". Anna is excited to rock out in "The Who's Tommy", in all it's rock opera epic glory! Thanks Chiaki, David, and Justin for trusting in her talent; Mom and Chase for their love, support and patience.
Mike Maykish
(Mr. Walker)
Mike is thrilled to be a part of such a talented cast! Thanks to David, Chiaki, and Sarah for all of your patience, support, and guidance.
Anthony Lawson
(Uncle Ernie)
Anthony David Lawson is thrilled to once again work with director, David Loudermilk and reprise the role of Uncle Ernie for City Stage. He hopes his performance touches as many people as possible.
George Domby
(Hawker/Specialist, Ensemble)
George is thrilled to be doing another great City Stage production. This is his fourth show with the company, having appeared in Next to Normal (Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden), The All Night Strut (Tenor/Himself) and Monty Python's Spamalot (Prince Herbert/Ensemble). George moved to Wilmington from New York City in 2006, and is grateful for the love and support he has received from the theater community here. He would like to thank Justin, Chiaki and David for giving him an opportunity to play such diverse roles, and Bruce for his tireless patience throughout this crazy rehearsal and performance process. "Let's rock the house!"
Bradley Barefoot
(10-year old Tommy)
Bradley Barefoot is elated to be making his debut with City Stage! Recent credits include Disney's Camp Rock (Nate Gray) and The Sound of Music (Kurt von Trapp). He is in Hoggard Voyagers and was one of three freshmen chosen to be in the 2013 NC Honors Chorus. Thanks to David, Chiaki, Justin, Liz, and my parents. It's been a sensation!
Abel Zukerman
(4-year old Tommy)
Abel Zukerman is a 5th grader at Winter Park Elementary. He loves school, theatre, books, telling jokes, and writing stories. His most recent roles include Gloin in The Hobbit and Big Jule in Guys and Dolls. He's thrilled and honored to be playing Tommy with City Stage, a first for him (Thank you, David!). You can also catch Abel in Journey Production's Fraktured Faery Tales, 3, in the Studio Theatre at Thalian Hall.
Khawon Porter
(Cousin Kevin)
Instrumentalist turned Thespian! Khawon Jerrel Porter is a Wilmingtonian who has a passion for the Arts. An accomplished musician he embraces the birth of his "Thespianism" on the Wilmington Theater scene. Khawon's versatile nature, has allowed him to wittingly switch gears where he recently played a character of old southern soul in "The Color Purple" to now funk rock vocals in this classic rock opera! This extremely talented performer hopes this role will help him make an even deeper mark within the Theater community, leading to other opportunities for growth and flexibility. Khawon would like to offer a heartfelt Thank You to City Stage for extending these opportunities to work with such a talent-filled cast and community.
Jeff Holler
(Ensemble)
Jeff would like to thank Chiaki, David and Justin for the opportunity, his voice coach Julie Poole, his agent Susan Walters, and Danielle for her continued support and encouragement. Jeff is also an advertising consultant, voiceover guy, trivia night and live event host, and lead singer of the Wilmington-based band Dutch Treet www.dutchtreet.com
Patrick Basquill
(Ensemble)
Patrick was last seen at City Stage as Henry in 'Next to Normal' and before that as Georg in 'Spring Awakening'. Since then he has been monitoring pools, selling TV packages in Wal-Mart, and now making sweet, bitter, caffeinated drinks at a well known coffee establishment in the Wilmington area. You may have stopped there before tonights show, audience member. He also has been performing with the Nutt Street Comedy Troupe every Wednesday night at 9 at the Nutt Street Comedy Room since like, June or something like that. Finally he would like to thank David for giving him the oppourtunity to be a part of this awesome show and cast despite his ability to change slides properly, and to Chiaki for doing what she does best. Enjoy the show!
Brendan Carter
(Ensemble)
Brendan Carter is thrilled, excited, stoked, and slightly terrified to be a part of the amazing cast of The Who's Tommy. He was last not seen on stage as Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Thanks to this incredible cast and crew for bringing this awesome show to life, and to his family for all of the love and support.
Brit Garner
(Ensemble)
"Brit Garner is a biology professor at Brunswick Community College but occasionally goes on Amazing Journeys to local musical theatre productions. Recent credits include "Songs for a New World" (Woman 3), "Little Shop of Horrors" (Crystal), and "Pippin" (Fastrada). Thanks to David and Chiaki for giving me another round of being in something really special. Love to Mom for an ear for music and Dad for the love of theatre."
Erik Maasch
(Ensemble)
Erik Maasch is so grateful to be part of City Stage's production of Tommy. He was last seen as the wide eyed Minstrel following Brave Sir Robin in Spamalot! Many thanks to David, Chiaki, his wonderful cast mates, and crew for making this an unforgettable experience. He'd also like to thank his beautiful girlfriend and family for their continued support!
Chiaki Ito
(Music Director/Producer/Piano)
Chiaki is a graduate of NC School of the Arts, UNC-CH, Univ. of Guam and Univ. of SC. She practices law in New Hanover County and has music directed over 80 musicals. She enjoys participating in triathlons and spending time with her dog, Elvis.
Amy Smith
(Ensemble)
Amy moved to Wilmington from Florida last July and is incredibly excited both to be making her City Stage debut, and to be working so closely with such talented individuals. Many thanks to Brit Garner for being a source of constant love and support, and to David and Chiaki for this wonderful opportunity.
David T. Loudermilk
(Director/Choreographer)
David is thrilled to be working with City Stage again, after having the honor of winning the 2012 Star News Award in Choreography for their production of The Color Purple. He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant love and support, and a big thank you to the cast and crew of Tommy (for being such beautiful people and artists). He dedicates this production to the memory of his grandfather, Leo F. Waterman, and his Uncle Tommy. mizpah.
Madeline Safrit
(Ensemble)
Madeline Safrit is excited to be back on the stage in her first City Stage production. Over the past couple of years she has enjoyed performing alongside her friends in shows such as, The Most Happy Fella, Hello Dolly, A Chorus Line, and Annie. She is currently a senior at New Hanover High School and an active member in Hanover Singers. She would like to thank the entire cast and crew for their tireless dedication to this production. Both their time and talent helped to mold Tommy into a success and a memorable experience. Above all, Madeline would like to thank her reassuring family, who remind her each and every day that she is loved. Enjoy the show!
The Who’s Tommy
at CITY STAGE
FEATURING BIBIS ELLISON as the GYPSY
Directed and Choreographed by David T. Loudermilk
Music Directed by Chiaki Ito
SHOW DATES: March 7-10, 15-17, 22-24 & 29-31
All shows at 8pm
Tickets are $24/$22
TICKETS: (910) 264-2602 or click here.
ABOUT THE SHOW: Pete Townshend’s tale of a young boy’s journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in a theatre!After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.
THE BAND
Luke Perkins
(Bass)
Luke graduated from UNCW in 2010 with a Bachelor's of Music. Favorite City Stage shows include The Color Purple, The Full Monty, and Spring Awakening.
Rob Murphrey
(Drums)
Rob has performed in 24 countries and 49 states with shows including Miss Saigon on Broadway, The Full Monty and Sweet Charity. This is his 3rd season with City Stage since returning to Wilmington. Favorite City Stage shows include Rocky Horror, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, and Spamalot.
David Easton
(Guitar 1, on right)
David grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and graduated from UNCW with a Bachelor's of Music in 2012. Having recently returned from five months' work abroad, he is excited to be spending a few months back in Wilmington. Past shows with City Stage include Rocky Horror, The Full Monty, and Next to Normal.
John Crowley
(Horn)
James Price
(Guitar 2)
James is grateful to be in the company of such talented artists, and is really excited to contribute to one of his favorite City Stage productions, Tommy. Graduating from the UNC-Chapel Hill (BA) and Campbell (JD), James practices law in New Hanover County and the surrounding areas. He loves to perform regularly in Wilmington's local band, Jack Jack 180, most especially when performing in support of significant causes such as the American Heart Association's, Cape Fear Heart Ball, and for the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation. He is very passionate about fine arts and culture, which he believes to be irreplaceable components of a thoughtful community.
Robert Hood
(Keys)
Robert is excited to be back for another show at City Stage! He is a graduate of Fork Union Military Academy (college preparatory school), North Carolina State University (B.A.) and North Carolina Central University (J.D.) Robert practices law in Southeast NC, and is a member of the Board of Directors of both his HOA and a no-kill animal shelter in Ocean Isle Beach.
Jonathan Barber
(Keys)
Mike Buckley
(Guitar 2, on left)
Mike Buckley is a senior at UNC Wilmington pursuing a degree in Jazz Performance. He has played in recent City Stage productions such as Spamalot and The Color Purple and is very excited to be a part of this production of Tommy. Mike is from Durham, NC.
Joseph Basquill
(Ensemble)
Joseph Basquill is an senior at New Hanover High School. He has been active in this awesome theatre comminity since he was six. Notable recent roles include, Shane in Camp Rock 2, and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Cheese N' Rice this cast is awesome! Joe is thankful to David, and Chiaki for giving him this chance to be in this awesome show. YAY! Go AWESOMEOCITY, which is what this show is. Be prepared for some awwww, yeah!
Closing night of The Who’s Tommy. March 31, 2013 (Easter)
Smashing of the guitar by David Easton.