Step aside, Pete Townshend!

When the folks at Clarence Brown Theatre (CBT) decided to include the rock opera “The Who’s Tommy” in this season’s line-up, CBT Artistic Director Cal MacLean knew exactly which part he wanted to play — the guitar part. MacLean started practicing the music from the show on his acoustic guitar last October. (He doesn’t read music – he had to learn it by ear.) As my husband and I strolled toward the Clarence Brown on opening night Friday, MacLean and his six fellow musicians from the show were still practicing next door in the Carousel Theatre. The practice paid off.

In a production with strong acting, sets and lighting, the music excels. The band is so good that several in the audience thought the music was recorded and that the on-stage band was faking it. They weren’t.

The talented cast also includes the CBT’s managing director, Tom Cervone, as creepy Uncle Ernie. Well-known soloist Katy Zahn, who often performs with the Knoxville Symphony, plays Tommy’s mom and her real-life son Jonah plays a young Tommy.

Of particular interest to us at Moxley Carmichael is the fact that Jonathan Visser does an outstanding job as the grown-up Tommy. He shines in several surprise moves near the show’s end. If you are a friend or client of Moxley Carmichael, you may know Visser: he dressed as Cupid at this year’s mid-winter Moxley Carmichael client party. (He also played a lizard at our Leap Year party in 2008.)

The production has garnered positive reviews. It runs through May 3. Tickets are still available.

Other folks we spotted in the opening night audience: Don and Maureen Bosch, Dr. Nancy Duckles, Brooks and Karen Clark, Dr. Joseph and Jayne DiFiore, Townes Osborne, Dr. John and Patty Purvis, Peggy Turner, Kim Midkiff and John North.

Post script: Cute exchange on Twitter yesterday. Sandra Clark, Halls-based pubisher of the Shopper News, wrote: “Great music and energy level high at ‘Tommy.’ But who or what are/was the Whos?” In response, one of her employees, Nick Frantz, wrote: “The British invasion hasn’t made it to Possum Holler yet?”

Good one, Nick.

Jonathan Visser as Tommy