Tommy The Musical

Music by Pete Townshend & The Who
Book by Pete Townshend & Des McAnuff

Recommended Resources

Plot Summary & Audition Tips

List of Characters in Tommy

Tommy 1975 Film Version on DVD

The Who's Tommy - The Amazing Journey (1994)

Tommy 1975 Film Version Soundtrack

Tommy 1969 Original Concept Album

Tommy 1992 Original Revival Cast Recording

Based on The Who's rock-opera, Tommy which was released in 1969.

Post WWII England. Tommy becomes catatonic after he witnesses the murder of his mother's lover by his father. When his pinball playing ability is discovered, he is able to break from his catatonia and becomes an international superstar.
This show contains adult language and situations - parents should be aware of this before taking their child to audition.

Tommy is a rock opera. Do not use a song from this show for an audition unless you are auditioning for another rock opera.

If you are auditioning for Tommy the musical, a traditional musical theatre selection is not appropriate. Choose an audition song from rock music repertoire or from another rock opera.

Tommy (Tenor, 17 - 24)

must play teens - 20s, strong singer/actor who moves well

 

10 yr old Tommy (8 -12)

must sing well 

 

4 yr old Tommy (3 - 7)

must sing well, and be able to sit still for long periods of time

 

Captain Walker (Tenor, 24 - 32)

Tommy's handsome father, a captain in the Royal Air Force. Must play 20s-40s, strong singer/actor, moves well

Mrs. Walker (Mezzo, 18 - 24)

Tommy's mother, must play 20-40, strong singer/actor, moves well

Cousin Kevin (Baritone, 14 - 21)

Tommy's cruel babysitter, a bully who later becomes head of Tommy's security force. Must play 10 to 20, strong singer/dancer

Sally Simpson (Soprano, 15 - 23)

Typical teenager who becomes obsessed with Tommy.

4 yr old Sally

Uncle Ernie (Character Tenor, 28 - 40)

Captain Walker's alcoholic older brother, a pervert. Must play 20s-40s. Strong actor who moves well.

The Hawker (Non-singing, 21 - 50)

An offensive street hustler.

A Harmonica Player (Non-singing, 25 - 55)

The Hawker's friend.

The Specialist (Baritone, 30 - 50)

A doctor practicing new age medicine.

The Gypsy ( 21 - 35)

A heroine addict, dealer & prostitute. Strong singer.

Teenaged boys & girls, men & women, Mr. Simpson, Lover, Mrs. Simpson, Acid Queen, The Specialist, The Specialist's assistant

Related Websites

Audition Preparation Materials

List of Songs in Tommy (Click the song title to download digital sheet music)

• Other musicals with rock music scores
• Browse other shows with roles for children

• Captain Walker 
• It's a Boy 
• We've Won
• Twenty-One
• Amazing Journey
• Sparks
• Christmas/See Me, Feel Me
• Do You Think It's Alright?
• Fiddle About
• Cousin Kevin
• Sensation
• Eyesight to the Blind
• Acid Queen
• Pinball Wizard
• It's a Boy [Reprise]/There's a Doctor
• Go to the Mirror/Listening to You
• Tommy, Can You Hear Me? 
• I Believe My Own Eyes
• Smash the Mirror
• I'm Free
• Streets of London 1961-63/Miracle Cure
• Tommy's Holiday Camp
• Sally Simpson
• Welcome
• Sally Simpson's Question
• We're Not Gonna Take It
• See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You [Reprise]