May 2016
Performances:
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28
Fri/Sat @ 8:15pm | Sun @ 2:00pm
Music/Lyrics by Pete Townshend
Additional Music/Lyrics by John Entwistle, Keith Moon
Book by Pete Townshend, Des McAnuff
Directed by Ruben Vellekoop, Carlotta Capuano
Music Direction by Marci Shegogue
Produced by Dan Patrick Leano, John Nunemaker
Location:
Kensington Town Hall / Armory
3710 Mitchell Street, Kensington, MD 20895
Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who’s Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing, and the human psyche. After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother’s lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as he grows up, he suffers abuse at the hands of his relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when Tommy finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.
CAST
 | Brice Guerriere (Tommy Walker) is excited to make his KAT debut after relocating from Burlington, VT in February. A recent graduate of the Theatre program at the University of Vermont, he has performed in productions of Much Ado About Nothing (UVM), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (JHP), A Grand Night for Singing (UVM), Les Miserables (Lyric Theatre Company), Hair (STG) and others. He will next be appearing as Buddy Hunt in Jean Bordewich’s original play, Hunt, with the Capital Fringe Festival. He would like to thank his castmates and directing team for their trust and warm welcome to this great community. |
 | Mark Hamberger (Captain Walker) is happy to be back on stage after laying low for the past few years. Mark made his DC area debut in Kiss of the Spider Woman with KAT back in 2005. Also at KAT: 110 in the Shade, A Funny Thing…Forum, Urinetown, and Company. Other credits include All Shook Up (Dennis), A Chorus Line (Al), West Side Story (A-Rab), and Into the Woods (Jack) at RMT; Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) and Little Women the Musical (John) at MCP. Mark has a B.A. in Theater from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and works for Washington National Opera. Thanks to Eric, friends, and family for their love and support. |
 | Katie Shaffer (Mrs. Walker) is so excited to make her KAT debut! She is a recent graduate of Carleton College, where she studied sociology and anthropology and spent as much time as possible singing. She is also a proud member of the Westmoreland Volunteer Corps, where she works in women’s healthcare. Favorite (not so recent) credits include Almost, Maine (Ensemble), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), and The Boy Friend (Maisie). Many, many thanks to the cast and crew for being so welcoming, and to her friends and family for their endless love and support. |
 | Brian Lyons-Burke (Uncle Ernie, Gypsy) most recently played Martin in A Grand Night for Singing with MP. Prior to that he appeared as Tevye in DTC’s The Fiddler on the Roof for which he received a WATCH nomination for Leading Actor in a Musical. He has also been seen as Henry Higgins in DTC’s My Fair Lady, Captain Hook in TAP’s Peter Pan, Thenardier in SONOVA’s Les Miserables, and Roger De Bris in SSTG’s The Producers. He can also be seen as Gary Tison in the “Road Kill” episode of Evil Kin on the ID channel. |
 | Jordan Clifford (Cousin Kevin, Ensemble) is a recent graduate of James Madison University and currently works for Discovery Communications in Silver Spring, MD. This is his first show with KAT! He has worked professionally with The Prizery in South Boston, VA on their productions of Hairspray, Les Miserables, Legally Blonde, and Oliver! While at JMU, he acted in A Fear of Falling, Much Ado About Nothing, and even directed a production of Martin Sherman’s Bent. Most recently, he starred as El Gallo in The Fantasticks at Valley Playhouse in Harrisonburg, VA. |
 | Elissa Borzilleri (Psychologist, Specialist’s Assistant) really only does this for the cast parties. Luckily for her she’s gotten some pretty sweet roles along the way: Betty in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Marmy in Little Women, Pennywise in Urinetown, Reverend Mother in Nunsense, and Alice Miller in My Favorite Year are among her favorites. Then there was that time she did a tribute to Country star Roy Clark with WAMA Winners Honky Tonk Confidential, but she doesn’t like to talk about that since she had to wear cut-offs and pigtails. Mama, this one’s for you. |
 | Ellie Borzilleri (Sally Simpson, Pinball Wizard, Ensemble) is thrilled to join KAT for this amazing journey! Previous credits include Ilsa (Spring Awakening), Enid Hoopes (Legally Blonde), Nancy (Oliver!), and many more! This fall, Ellie will be attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for a BFA in Musical Theatre. Thanks to mom for joining me on this wonderful project, "Dinty" for continuous love and support, and, of course, Jay, for his never-ending encouragement, support, and love. This one is for Nana, who is no doubt with us all tonight, in spirit...If a light falls on my head, you all know who did it. Be one of us and enjoy the show! |
 | Rich Shegogue (Specialist, Minister, Ensemble) is excited to return to KAT after last appearing as Gregor in Chess for which he received a DC Metro Theater Arts Scene Stealer recognition, and as the Bishop and ensemble member in Les Miserables. Other recent credits include A Little Night Music (Carl-Magnus) with DTC, and The Music Man (Jacey Squires/Quartet), Nunsense A-Men (Sister Mary Amnesia), Annie (Rooster), and Evita (Magaldi) with RMT. Vocal: Drop The Mic (local a cappella ensemble). Love to his musical family, Marci, Camryn and Jamie. Special thanks to Mark Wenner of local band The Nighthawks for sharpening my harmonica chops. Rock on! |
 | Colleen Prior (Hawker, Nurse, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her KAT debut. She has performed with a number of companies and theater groups throughout the DC, Miami, and central London metro areas. Favorite credits include: Company (Amy); A Chorus Line (Maggie), Honk (Duckling); South Pacific (Dinah); Cats (Demeter); Hair (Sheila). She also works as a choreographer and dance teacher, most recently spending two months at Actor’s Playhouse in Miami. In "real" life, Colleen works as a tour guide at Ford’s Theatre and is pursuing a PhD in Religion and Culture at The Catholic University of America. |
 | Dana Michelle Herson (Lass, DJ, Nurse, Ensemble) is thrilled to be in her 3rd musical with KAT. She has been singing and dancing her entire life and is excited to share that passion with such a fun cast. She has recently been seen as the Corpse Bride in The Addams Family and Laura Benson in The Psychic. Dana also recently performed in Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, All Shook Up and RENT. She also has been seen as a promotional model with local salons, and one of her headshots was displayed in the Louvre. Dana would like to thank her family and friends for all of the love and support; they get to hear, “sorry, I have rehearsal” quite often. |
 | George Spelvin (Lover, Soldier) is so excited to finally make his KAT debut! He’s been in productions of Gardiner, Gerschwin, and of course Durang. Big shout out to his loved ones and a huge thank you to this wonderful cast and crew. "I’d be nowhere without you." |