Thirty-two productions and countless memories later, THE WHO’S TOMMY Ensemble Members,Lily Krenand Tassy Kirbas, are dazzling Chicago audiences in our critically acclaimed musical (on stage through August 6 only!) In this exclusive interview, the talented two-some explore what it’s like to work together and their favorite onstage moment…so far!
When/how did you meet? Lily Kren: Tassy and I met in high school. I was a grade above her. We went to a magnet performing arts high school in Atlanta, GA.
Tassy Kirbas: We met around a decade ago (which makes our Goodman debut ALSO our ten year anniversary!). Lily is a year and some change older than me, so she acted as both a best friend and someone I always looked up to in those 3 years of school we had together. We watched each other grow up, and now we can confidently say that we are chosen family!!
What was the first show you performed in together? LK: Our first production together was TARZAN and we were both in the ensemble. We went on to do 3 more years of shows together. In total, we have been in 32 different productions with one another. That does not include random pop-up shows or concerts. The number of shows we have done together is far too many to count.
TK:Lily also did some cool aerial work in that show!
When you first got the news that you’d be performing in the show together, what was your reaction? Who did you call first…each other, right?
LK: We were in callbacks together and as soon as we saw each other we freaked out. We hadn’t seen each other much because we both went off to different colleges. So, being in the audition room for the same show was AMAZING. We prayed together and hoped we’d both book this and get to be together again. After our first dance call, we went out and had mango margaritas and dreamt about what it would be like to work on a new musical together with a Broadway creative team?!? Our dreams were coming true!!!!
TK: It was honestly exhilarating. It all happened so quickly and felt so right, like fate. We manifested that we would book together and updated each other every step of the way. Lily got her call the day before I did, and I’ll never forget how exciting that was. I actually think Lily was the first person I called about booking!
What’s been the most exciting part about working together on TOMMY? LK: Definitely the people. We are so lucky to get to be with such wonderful people every day and to get to do this together. We know each other better than anyone. It’s so inspiring getting to see your best friend’s dreams come true, but to also get to experience that side by side is an unbelievable feeling that I am FOREVER grateful for.
TK: TOMMY is so exciting to be part of because it is a brand new version of a production with music I’ve always loved. The creative team is making genius work come to life, the technical elements are more impressive and complex than anything I’ve ever seen, and the cast and crew is an absolute dream team of people I can learn from and laugh with while we work on such a unique production. The most exciting part about all of this is that I’m having this experience with my best friend. We understand how rare this opportunity is in general, and how priceless it is that we’re doing it together.
Favorite memory from the TOMMY rehearsal room? LK: One of my favorites was sitzprobe. I sat right next to Tass and it was a stop-in-time moment. Those moments when you can zoom out, see the big picture and soak in the gratitude. I will never forget that day.
TK: Sitzprobe, HANDS DOWN. There’s nothing I love more than hearing all the musical layers fold together for the first time. And the whole time, Lily was to my left.
Best on-stage moment (so far)?
LK: I really love “Pinball Wizard” reprise. But my favorite moment we have together is in “Christmas” when we are carolers, and we grab hands💓
TK: So far, my favorite on-stage moment was at the end of one of our first previews when the audience erupted during the finale. There was a powerful connection that circulated between the cast and the audience. We opened up and shared the music downstage as a wall of sound, the audience absorbed that energy and passionately sent it back to us, and that whole process looped. It was a special moment in time.
What’s your favorite WHO song? LK: “I’m free.” That song speaks for itself.
TK: “Pinball Wizard” is probably my favorite. However, I grew up with “Squeeze Box,” so it holds a special place in my heart.
If you could describe the show in one word which word would you use and why? LK: I would say transcendent because we are using some of the most iconic rock music in history to tell this story that goes beyond ordinary limitations. TOMMY isn’t just a show, it’s an experience. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do!
TK: I would use the word “electric” to describe the show. TOMMY is extremely energetic and fast-paced. The technical elements, particularly the use of light combined with darker costuming/set design and pops of color, make TOMMY very striking aesthetically. TOMMY also has astounding choreography, direction, and music to match this powerful energy, making this production an absolute shock to the system in ways I never would have imagined.
*This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
