The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Lutcher Theater is slated for an upcoming show that presents a classic rock experience, iconic British group The Who’s rock opera Tommy, through the strings and vocals of progressive bluegrass band, The HillBenders. The show is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 pm. Tickets from $20-$37 are available now at www.lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 886-5535.

Rolling Stone Magazine named The HillBenders, “one of the 50 Best Things We Saw at SXSW 2015.” And of the ‘rock opry,’ “You haven't heard ‘Acid Queen’ until you've seen it sung by a bearded man with a mandolin.”

45 years after its original release, this classic of classic rock is fully realized as a full-length bluegrass tribute featuring Springfield, Missouri’s The HillBenders. Conceived and produced by SXSW co-founder and longtime musician/producer Louis Jay Meyers, this Bluegrass Opry brings a new perspective to Tommy while paying total respect to its creators.

Originally composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, the rock opera tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy and his experiences with life and the relationship with his family. The original album has sold 20 million copies and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant value".

Meyers had been looking for the right band to pull off this high wire bluegrass approach for several decades and The HillBenders are the right band. With a perfect mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals, The HillBenders bring Pete Townshend’s original vision to life in a new and exciting way.

The HillBenders are one of the few bluegrass groups that recognize their ability to bridge the gap between the common music consumer and the bluegrass genre, selecting material that defies any hillbilly stigmas. With their widely varied influences, they are trying to bring to bluegrass, songs that unify. “We wanted to pair bluegrass with the other music we grew up with —rock and roll!” says HillBender Nolan Lawrence.

The two act show, will include some of The Hillbender Bluegrass hits from their CD Can You Hear Me, followed by The Rock Opry Tommy!.

More information about the HillBenders can be found at www.hillbenders.com and www.whograss.com

The Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts is located at 707 Main, Orange, Texas.