Youthful exuberance, technical dynamics, beautiful strong voices and fabulous dancing, all come together to create a rockin’ performance of the Who’s musical Tommy at The Schoolhouse Arts Center in Sebago Lake.  This rock opera which opened on Broadway in 1993 has not ceased to amaze audiences since its inception in the 1970’s.  The music is non-stop, and there is more action than can be seen in one viewing.

Director Deb Doherty has gathered over 45 extremely talented performers from Standish and other local communities. Young Tommy is well played by Sara Dodge of Standish, and Artemas Foster (Steep Falls) and Nikolas Pappaconstantine (Portland) are captivating in the uncanny role of 10-year-old Tommy. Matthew Small of Raymond (Tommy) will electrify audiences with his great voice. Schoolhouse audiences will remember him as the messenger in “1776” when he was 12. Emily Cain from Kennebunk plays the convincing role of Tommy’s mother, Mrs. Walker, and holds her own beside veteran actor Tom Scannell of Steep Falls as her husband Captain Walker. Uncle Ernie, a bizarre character, is skillfully played by Jim Pappaconstantine of Portland. All eyes will be on Ashley Fisher of Biddeford with her energetic and seductive dance of the Gypsy Acid Queen. Well-known Mike Foster of Steep Falls is the minister, and Tod VanZandt of Gorham is Cousin Kevin.

Choreographer Karen Bagley, who was also dance captain for last year's performance of Godspell, has done an amazing job in this show with the 30 or more dancers including: Jennifer Diekema (West Baldwin); AJ Caron, Joel Costigan, and Matt Robedee (Buxton); Allyson Herman (Falmouth); Jessikah Lopez, David, Jon & Kristin Messana, and Chip Currier (Hollis); Julee Applegarth, Rosie Schoneberg, and Janane Tripp (Limington); Ashlee Pappaconstantine (Portland); Heather Andrews, Dan Burbank, Tara Cloutier, Jeb Knight, and Jannelle & Marshall Smith (Standish); Caryn Blanchard, Meg Doherty-Scannell, Kim Lemieux, Sam Foster, Danni & Ginger Lewis, Adam Sawyer, Jack & TJ Scannell, and Dani Swasey (Steep Falls); Amanda Fickett and Nicole Gribbin (Windham).

The show is musically directed by Jim Cole, and stage-managed by Cindy Blanchard and Terry Knight.