Kyle McFalls, an Akron native who graduated from Firestone CLC, plays Cousin Kevin in the national tour of "The Who

Akron Native Kyle McFalls Stars in The Who’s Tommy Tour at Playhouse Square

October 3, 2026 Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor Entertainment

Three Akron-area natives are making their national tour debuts in the North American launch of “The Who’s Tommy,” opening October 6 at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace in Cleveland. The production brings the iconic 1969 rock opera back to the stage with a cast featuring local talent performing classic tracks from the original album.

Akron Native Kyle McFalls Lands Role as Cousin Kevin

McFalls, 20, secured the role after auditioning last spring for both Tommy and Cousin Kevin. Before landing the part, he booked two gigs for season announcement media events in San Jose, California, and Chicago while he was a first-year student in Connecticut. Singing at those events helped him get into the room for the official “Tommy” auditions. Director Des McAnuff talked with McFalls about taking a scientific approach to the character rather than playing him strictly as a sadistic bully. McFalls grew up listening to rock and roll with his father, Sean, and saw his first musical tour, “The Lion King,” at the Connor Palace when he was in kindergarten.

Front Row Phyllis with Kyle McFalls The Who's Tommy the Musical

Copley Actress Julia Martini Joins Tour as Swing and Understudy

Julia Martini, a Copley native who graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School and Baldwin Wallace University, is a swing for the ensemble and understudies the roles of Mrs. Walker and Little Tommy. Martini, 22, met casting director Merri Sugarman when Sugarman visited Baldwin Wallace’s musical theater program in November of her senior year. She secured a New York agent in February before receiving requests to audition for “Damn Yankees” and “Tommy.” During the tour’s rehearsal break in August, Martini finished a dinner cruise contract in Missouri before tour rehearsals reconvened in September. The cast also features Kris Lyons, who grew up in Medina and moved to Cleveland Heights midway through high school before graduating from Baldwin Wallace.

Tour Launch Details at Playhouse Square

“The Who’s Tommy” runs from October 6-11 at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace, marking the start of the musical’s new North American tour. The production features Collin Flanagan as Tommy Walker. Three weeks of rehearsals began in New York in July, followed by a break through August and part of September, before the cast moved to Playhouse Square on September 20 for final tech and rehearsals. Tickets and schedule information are available directly through Playhouse Square.

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