Remember Jones announces lineup for six ‘Tommy’ shows: Burtnik, Kazee and more

by JAY LUSTIG
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Remember Jones and guests will perform the Who album “Tommy” at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal, Nov. 10-12 and 17-19.

Remember Jones has announced the lineup for his performances of The Who’s landmark Tommy album in its entirety, Nov. 10-12 and 17-19 at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal.

In addition to serving as the show’s creative director, Remember Jones will sing the songs of the character Tommy. Glen Burtnik of The Weeklings will be Uncle Ernie; Jeff Kazee of Southside Johnny’s Asbury Jukes will be the Pinball Wizard; and Johnny Pisano of Willie Nile’s band will play bass and play The Doctor.

Other cast members will include JaQuita May as The Acid Queen, Joey Secchiaroli as The Hawker, Jeremy Rotolo as Cousin Kevin, and Taylor Tote as Sally Simpson. The band will include Weeklings drummers Joe Bellia as well as Jeremy Korpas, Chris Brouwers, Mike Gilch, Stevi Incremona and others.

Remember Jones has presented Tommy before, including in 2020 at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, as part of that year’s Light of Day WinterFest.

REMEMBER JONES

Just in case you’re wondering: This will not be a production of the musical “The Who’s Tommy,” which ran on Broadway from 1993 to 1995 and has been presented elsewhere since then. This will be a concert version of the 24 songs on The Who’s 1969 double album.

Even though “Tommy” was not the first rock opera, it was the first one to gain widespread attention. The tale of a deaf, dumb and blind boy who becomes a champion pinball player and then the reluctant leader of a religious cult yielded a major hit single in “Pinball Wizard” and was made into a movie in 1975 (featuring Elton John, the late Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and others) before being reinvented, yet again, as a musical.

For tickets, visit axelrodartscenter.com.

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