Luther Rix Joins A DCC Production

(Poughkeepsie) - Legendary Broadway Drummer Luther Rix adds an extra layer of professionalism and authenticity to a production of The Who’s Tommy being staged next week at Dutchess Communty College. The production, a joint effort between the DCC Performing Arts Degree Program and the DCC Masquer’s Guild, opens at the James and Betty Hall Theatre in Dutchess Hall at DCC’s main campus in Poughkeepsie on Thursday, November 16 at 8:00 p.m., and continues with 8:00 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday, November 17 and 18, with a Sunday matinee on November 19 at 2 p.m.

The Who’s Tommy tells the story of a traumatized English boy who overcomes tragic events to become a superstar and national icon. Rix was the drummer in the original 1993 Tony Award-winning production of Tommy. His credits also include drumming for Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Tour, work as percussionist and timpanist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and The Winter Consort in New York City , and gigs with Doc Severensen, Patti LaBelle, Bette Midler, the Manhatten Transfer, and Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan. He has published articles for Modern Drummer Magazine and taught at Jordan Conservatory, Indiana University Music School, Drummer’s Collective, and the New York University Jazz Department.

Rix came to DCC’s production of Tommy through the production’s musical director Anthony Travaglia, a former neighbor from Valley Cottage, New York (near Nyack). He noted that DCC’s pit orchestra is using the original Broadway transcriptions. “I created the drum parts for the original production,” said Rix, “and it’s exactly the same as what I’m using for the Dutchess production.” Rix wrote the drum parts for the play’s pre-Broadway production in La Jolla, California. He was not a big Who fan at the time, although he was familiar with hits like “Pinball Wizard.” One goal was to make the music danceable. “You can’t play a Broadway show like Keith Moon. I had a fair amount of freedom, but when you’ve got people dancing up there, you can’t throw them curves.”

The Who’s Tommy first appeared in album form in 1969. A movie version came out in 1975, and the play opened on Broadway in 1993, winning Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical (Des McAnuff), tied for Best Musical Score (Pete Townshend), Best Scenic Designer, Best Choreographer, and Best Lighting Designer. DCC’s production, directed by Jeremy Quinn with musical direction by Anthony Travaglia, draws its influence from the Broadway production and original album. “The movie had nothing to do with the Broadway show,” said Rix. “In those days, Hollywood was not in touch with the Rock and Roll community.”

Additional members of the production staff include choreographer Justin Boccitto, set designer Jeff Baker, lighting designer William Domack, and costume designer Kat Bellizzi. Projections are by Wendall K. Harrington.

The cast includes Tom Bunker as Tommy, Carrie DiGeronimo as Mrs. Walker, Matthew Patane as Captain Walker, Dennis Monetsano as Uncle Ernie, and Jackie Lugo as the Acid Queen. Additional players assuming multiple roles include Christine Andrews, Angelmarie Bambino, Kiara Daniello, Krista Egan, Kaylee Elia, Jim Falnner, Ed Gibbons-Brown, Nicole Giunta, Jeanne Goehring, Leila Howard, Jim Hennekens, Aimee Jolly, Kyle Jones, Sam Martinez, Kat McDaniel, Jeff Miller, Jeremiah Mockamer, Jon Mercado, Courtney Nardone, Joe Spano, Rob Stubbs, Kelly Urbin, Nicole Toulan, and Frank Venezi
The Who’s Tommy, licensed by Music Theatre International, includes music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. The show is appropriate for adults and children middle school age and older.
Pictured Above from Left to Right: Luther Rix; Actors Tommy Tom Bunker, Carrie, DiGeronim, MatthewPatane exhibit a scene from the production.