Tony award-winning musical

First time in Rockford

Live rock and roll band at every performance

Outstanding singers

Pinball Machine Raffle

Trivia: The original concept album by The Who was released in 1972 - the year NAT was started.

New American Theater is shaking things up, as in rock and roll.  The Who's rock opera Tommy is buzzing through the rehearsal halls creating a kind of energy that hasn't been felt before at NAT.  This kind of music; this kind of singing is all new at NAT.  Singles from the original concept album like "Pinball Wizard" and "See Me, Feel Me" made The Who famous in the United States, leading them to sell out performances just as the idea of arena concerts was beginning to crop up around the country.

In 1993, Tommy took home five Tony Awards including a tie for best score and the world of rock and roll crossed paths with Broadway's elite in a surreal moment.  Rockford's classic rock fans will be shocked at the experience of a huge, intense jam of a show in such an intimate setting.  The 280 seat theater will provide an up close and in your face spectacle unlike anything audiences have ever seen at NAT.

The musical is based on the classic rock opera by the loudest rock and roll band in history, and it tells the incredible tale of Tommy, a young boy who is struck deaf, dumb, and blind when he witnesses a crime and his family's attempt to cover it up.  Later, through the transformative power of his dreams and the music he hears in his mind, he becomes a superstar and tastes the bittersweet joy of adoration and celebrity. 

Artistic Director Tony Vezner is again importing star talents from New York and Chicago, as well as highlighting the best that Rockford has to offer. 

A few familiar faces in Tommy are Walter Biezchad (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Jennifer Buhrow (The Taffetas, Joseph), Mik Dempsey (Midsummer), Lindsay Hufford (Alice in Wonderland), Aaron Matthew Ray (Joseph, Alice, Midsummer), and local favorite David Causey (Around the World in 80 Days, Alice, Midsummer).

An authentic Tommy pinball machine is being raffled off with a drawing May 21st at the last performance of Tommy.  Tickets for the raffle are $10 or 3 for $25.

Tommy opens April 28th at 8:00 with sneak previews on Tuesday and Wednesday the 25th and 26th at 7:30.  Call the NAT Box Office for show and raffle tickets at 815-964-6282.  For more information visit www.newamericantheater.com.