THE WHO’S TOMMY Broadway Previews — Page 3

I saw this from the Mezz and it was definitely LOUD but I was still able to hear nearly every word. Wondering if the balance isn't right in the Orchestra? I could see being under the Mezz overhang as a potential problem. But up in the Mezz I actually thought it sounded pretty good.

Totally agree about audiences for this one -- many think they're going to a rock concert where they can scream along and show up late. I tried to zone them out as much as possible.

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "when did mediocrity become the standard?"

It’s their first weekend of previews. Any kind of technical issues are bound to be worked out during this time. Getting the sound balanced, especially in a show like Tommy, is expected to take some finessing. If you want a technically perfect performance, don’t buy a ticket to previews. The only thing mediocre here is your knowledge of the process.

“iT’s PrEvIeWs, YoU eXpEcT sOuNd IsSuEs!” except we didn’t pay for them at those prices."

It's nearly impossible to have a perfect sound design in the first few previews. Things change when all the seats are filled with bodies. 10th preview? Sure. But you "sent" your family to the first preview.

"I’m not so sure this is traditional first preview sound problems."

It's certainly possible. It's a different ballgame for sure. But they have hired the expert at this kind of sound design and there weren't reports of this in Chicago so... I'd lean toward it being preview issues and things get worked out in time. I hope!

I saw this last night... well, I saw the first half hour of it last night. What I saw was seriously amazing, so impressive, but SO RELENTLESSLY LOUD that I had a panic attack and had to leave mid-Act 1. It wasn't even about my ears hurting (which they did), but I could feel the sound in my entire body - it never lets up. (Relevant detail: I took a low dose of shrooms which likely heightened my senses and aided my spiral.) As I said, it was visually and dramatically so impressive, I do want to go back and see the rest... just bought the ear plugs Taffy recommended. Agree with East Village that withstanding this intensity while being crammed into a seat with little legroom is different than being at a concert where you can let your body move.

Updated On: 3/10/24 at 02:10 PM

I'm willing to bet the volume of this won't change between now and closing.

Caught TOMMY three times in Chicago. There were always complimentary earplugs available at guest services.

I don’t remember it being too loud at the Goodman. I just remember thinking the band sounded kind of cheap? So maybe they’ve flushed it out a bit more.

Updated On: 3/12/24 at 03:08 PM

Did anyone see the 1993 Original production or any of the tours back in the 90's?

This show is LOUD! From the first cord struck, it made the audience first scream a little, and then sit down and experience this show. It is not a normal theatrical performance. I can remember the shot guns the first 2 minutes in and it shook me, but it was awesome to be in a Broadway theatre and hear how loud and energetic it is. I was once in the last row of the balcony and it was loud up there. The show lasted a long time and people loved it. They also hated and walked out because of Uncle Ernie. That was a major event and people were gone or hated then show because of the blatant abuse.

I went and joined the tour a year later and can tell you, no matter what city we were in it was the same level of sound. That's what they wanted and that's what they got. Being on stage with it, some of us had earplugs for certain numbers or you got used it.

I just wanted to be honest, since Des is at the helm, they are not going to lower anything. It has its audience.

Just my 2 cents

Jonathan Cohen said: "I went tonight. The seat was Orch R B10 (lottery ticket). I was right under the speaker and brought ear plugs but it was borderline in terms of being tooloudness so I ended up not using them.

Des McAnuff came out before the show, and explained that they were putting in a bunch of new changes for the first time tonight, but not having seen the show before, I don't know what they were.

He also mention some people from thecasts ofMJ and Hell's Kitchen were in the audience. If I was in MJ and it was my day off, not sure seeing a musical where a young boy gets molested is how I would spend it."



Oh dear Lord. Let it go. The subject matter in MJ is not the same as in Tommy so why would the cast of MJ, specifically, have a problem with it? Also, productions send invites to other productions on their nights off so that they get to see other shows and support friends that are in them. A lot of performers look forward to those evenings.

Not that I expect there is room, but were they able to bring the custom made pinball tables from the lobby of the run in Chicago?