In 1969, The Who created a rock opera that changed the course of music history.
Some 25 years later, The Who’s TOMMY arrived on Broadway, winning 5 Tony Awards® and pushing the boundaries of what musical theatre can be. This March, the Amazing Journey arrives in a dazzling new production direct from a sold-out, record-breaking, award-winning Chicago premiere.
The revival is scheduled to begin previews March 8 and to open March 28
The first Broadway revival of The Who’s Tommy begins previews tomorrow night (March 8) at the Nederlander Theatre. The rock opera is led by Ali Louis Bourzgui in his Broadway debut as the titular pinball wizard, with Adam Jacobs and Alison Luff as his parents. This 30th anniversary production also features John Ambrosino, Bobby Conte, and Christina Sajous. Tommy’s score is by The Who guitarist Pete Townshend (based on the group’s 1969 concept album of the same name), with a book by Townshend and Des McAnuff, choreography by Lorin Latarro, and direction by McAnuff.
“After witnessing his father shoot his rival, the young Tommy Walker is lost in the universe, endlessly and obsessively staring into the mirror. An innate knack for pinball catapults him from reticent adolescent to celebrity savior.”
This is easily my biggest “guilty pleasure” show. I can’t wait to hear that SCORE again. Going in with high expectations but admittedly will be entering as someone with such love for the material. I haven’t bought merch in years but…it’s time.
Lot666 said: "Falsettolands said: "This is easily my biggest “guilty pleasure” show."
Why "guilty"?
"
Oh, because I don't think it's a very good musical!
But I love the music removed from the script and plot. It's nostalgic for me on a personal level, and I can recognize my personal bias towards this type of rock music.
I'm really excited to see this. I really don't know anything about it but I feel like I've heard SO much about it at the same time. Can't wait to see what it's all about.
Just curious as I don't really know the history is this show considered well regarded. I remember seeing a touring production when I was a teenager and found it fairly annoying
It's one of those shows that I'm always like "fair enough if you love it and fair enough if you hate it". The story's depiction of disabilities is certainly a product of its time. The story also gets a little crazy absurd and bizarre, and most of act two has always left me wondering what, exactly, was I supposed to take from any of that. But, I've seen several productions over the years and have always had a blast and really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see this latest incarnation!
pair-o-dice said: "...The story also gets a little crazy absurd and bizarre, and most of act two has always left me wondering what, exactly, was I supposed to take from any of that....."
Wait, I thought this thread was about THE WHO'S TOMMY, not HERE WE ARE.
Seriously, though, I'm coming up from DC next week and seeing it (Tommy, that is) Friday night and can't wait. This and TEETH are the only musical productions opening this spring that I'm excited about. (Saw Cabaret in London twice otherwise that would be on my must-see list as well). The rest seem about as compelling as last year's New York, New York.
Can't wait to hear reports from tonight. I'm seeing it in April. Especially curious about if the production uses the entire Overture and Underture. A number of recent revivals have either cut theirs completely or trimmed them down.
Det95 said: "Can't wait to hear reports from tonight. I'm seeing it in April. Especially curious about if the productionuses the entire Overture and Underture. A number of recent revivals have either cut theirs completely or trimmed them down."
A friend was at the invited dress last night and said the full versions of both are used.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
For those going early in previews - invited dress was INCREDIBLY loud in terms of both music and "gunfire" on stage (which are prop guns that are triggering the noise/flash - it's not from the soundboard). You might want to pop your airpods in or bring earplugs until they at least get the music level balanced.
pair-o-dice said: "It's one of those shows that I'm always like "fair enough if you love it and fair enough if you hate it". The story's depiction of disabilitiesis certainly a product of its time. The story also gets a little crazy absurd and bizarre, and most of act two has always left me wondering what, exactly, was I supposed to take from any of that. But, I've seen several productions over the years and have always had a blast and really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see this latest incarnation!"
I truly believe Tommy is an absurd surreal fantasy about trauma. It's not about the reality of disabilities.
His breaking out from being "deaf dumb and blind" are so much more about reaching a new stasis with your trauma.
Also the story is about brutal terrible people abusing and taking advantage of a kid in the 1950's- which happened FREQUENTLY
They are seriously discounting weeknight performances with the SEEME Code, but i cant find any discounts for weekend performances (which is the only times that really work for me to disappear into a theater for 3 hours). While frustrating for me personally, this strikes me as a smart play and I'm surprised more shows dont do this (ie release codes to drive people to the sparser weeknight performances). Just looking at the tickets sold during previews, it looks to be working.
quizking101 said: "I had friends who went to the invited dress last night and the reviews were unilaterally rapturous. I just bought my ticket for the 20th"
I hope you mean “uniformly” - unilaterally typically means the opposite of a consensus!
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
I saw the original production during the LaJolla tryout, and it blew my young mind apart just as I was leaving to start my BFA in theater. Next month I’m taking my kids (15 & 12) to see the show their dad won’t shut up about all these years later.