Tommy the Musical - any talks of a revival?

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 2:30pm

I've never seen the musical - didn't like the movie so much - but I pretty much wore my vinyl out listening to the album....   Is anyone in the industry currently considering bringing this back?     I'd really love to see this happen.

 And who would be  your dream cast if it did revive?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 2:38pm

Des McAnuff recently restaged his production at the Stratford Festival and I think there was some talk that it might transfer to New York but I think that was just wishful thinking.

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 3:04pm

I'd like to see Tommy come back but I'd love for it to be re-orchestrated for a more "rock" sounds and would love ever more if the book could be re-worked to fit more into the concept album/films plot line. 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 3:51pm

There was this one version on Youtube where it was scaled back to a 3 piece combo. Guitar, Bass and Drum Kit, like The Who. It was pretty cool

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 4:31pm

I love the original orchestrations and MUCH prefer the book of the musical over the film or concept.  At least the musical made the parents a bit more sympathetic.  In the film, they really just come across as a pack of monsters and I think having Tommy's father survive really strengthens the family relationship as well as adding the obstacle (and guilt) of a father who never knew the real Tommy.  I was actually worried that the Broadway production would resemble the film's plot and combine great music with completely unlikable characters and an undeserved and unearned ending.  Hang gliding...the end.

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 5:14pm

Mister Matt said: "I love the original orchestrations and MUCH prefer the book of the musical over the film or concept.  At least the musical made the parents a bit more sympathetic.  In the film, they really just come across as a pack of monsters and I think having Tommy's father survive really strengthens the family relationship as well as adding the obstacle (and guilt) of a father who never knew the real Tommy.  I was actually worried that the Broadway production would resemble the film's plot and combine great music with completely unlikable characters and an undeserved and unearned ending.  Hang gliding...the end.

^  Exactly my thoughts.  I detested Ann Margaret's performance in the film.    It's interesting to look at the OBC - Michael Cerveris played Tommy - I bet he killed it!  I'm not familiar with any of the other principals but I see Norm Lewis and Alice Ripley were in the ensemble and Jeanine Tesori was associate conductor.   Was there no Acid Queen and Pinball Wizard in the musical?  I don't see reference on cast info.

Would love to see this overhauled as more rock, but still keep the integrity of the concept album.  and of course include Acid Queen and Pinball Wizard. 

I'm trying to think up a dream cast, but without knowing the structure it's hard.

Tommy - Andy Mientus (ugh I know.... but he could be good)  Darren Criss????  he did step it up as Hedwig in SF.

Mrs. Walker - ?

Uncle Ernie -  Michael Cerveris   Michael C Hall

Acid Queen - Heather Headley  

Pinball Wizard - Lena Hall 

I obviously don't have a clue but fun to think about.

 

 

"

 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 5:27pm

Pinball Wizard is not a character, but the Acid Queen (sort of) is.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 5:35pm

Alex Sharp for Tommy

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 5:47pm

Cheryl Freeman played The Gypsy (aka The Acid Queen).

The Pinball Wizard was made a character (played by Elton John) in Ken Russell's legendary 1975 film adaptation.  In the original context and lyrics, Tommy's being implied at "the pinball wizard."

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 6:28pm

Here are some videos of Tommy from the Tony Awards and also highlights from the Stratford Festival revival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUa6_m5WwSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO6-JrS0ZVY

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 8:24pm

Cheryl Freeman KILLED as the Gypsy.  An unforgettable performance.  Cerveris was perfection.  And Sherie Rene Scott was a standout as Sally Simpson.  Personally, I felt the show deserved Best Musical.  I loved everything about it, but I was quite disappointed with Spider Woman.

[smidge]

Posted: 10/20/16 at 9:40pm

This had been mentioned before but I think a Deaf West production of Tommy would be excellent.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 10/21/16 at 4:16pm

I detest the OBC orchestrations. The vocal arrangements are incredible, but the orchestrations sound so saccharine and sanitized. I still have to skip over "Cousin Kevin" because of the synthesizers. Since 1993, though, we've had RENT, AMERICAN IDIOT, and NEXT TO NORMAL, so I would hope a revival of TOMMY would sound much more like those shows.

I wouldn't mind some slight changes to the book. I always felt the followers' rejection of Tommy at the end of the show came out of nowhere and was never fully explained. I actually prefer Ken Russell's concept that they rejected him because of the commercialism/greed that Tommy came to stand for. That makes more sense to me, and I think it makes tons of sense in our current society. Between that and the 21st century concept of "celebrity," TOMMY still has some pretty profound things to say over 45 years later.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/21/16 at 4:48pm

Andy or Darren will both be terribly miscast in this. If there's a theater god, Reeve Carney would headline a Tommy Revival.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/21/16 at 6:36pm

I'd love a revival with Reeve Carney. I'd buy tickets to that.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/22/16 at 11:21am

I would be surprised if there is a revival unless they figure out a way to do it in a stripped down version.  I may be remembering incorrectly, but I seem to recall that -- although it played more than a decent number of performances -- it dragged on in half-empty houses for a significant portion of its run, after the initial enthusiasm ran out.  

I know for sure that I expected it to run a lot longer than it did when it first opened, based on the initial enthusiasm, reviews, etc.

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 10/22/16 at 11:54am

Reeve Carney is a brilliant suggestion! Totally on board with that. I also like the idea of it being a Deaf West production without the participation of a certain producer. 

[Alex M]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 12:30pm

I was thinking of how i would want a revival to be cast if this ever did happen heres my cast: 

Tommy: Reeve Carney

Captain Walker: Norbert Leo Butz

Mrs. Walker: Lena Hall

Cousin Kevin: Alex Boniello

Uncle Ernie: Kevin Chamberlin

Acid Queen: Rebecca Naomi Jones

Sally Simpson: Annaleigh Ashford

Hawker: Oak Onaodowan

Anyone else have casting ideas?

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 3:46pm

It'd be cool to see someone from the rock world, like Brendon Urie or even Jared Leto as Tommy. 

 

Also, after having heard bootlegs from a regional production, I'd love Julia Murney as Mrs. Walker!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 4:32pm

Mister Matt said: "I love the original orchestrations and MUCH prefer the book of the musical over the film or concept.  At least the musical made the parents a bit more sympathetic.  In the film, they really just come across as a pack of monsters and I think having Tommy's father survive really strengthens the family relationship as well as adding the obstacle (and guilt) of a father who never knew the real Tommy.  I was actually worried that the Broadway production would resemble the film's plot and combine great music with completely unlikable characters and an undeserved and unearned ending.  Hang gliding...the end.

 

I agree! I think the addition of "I Believe My Own Eyes" (my favorite song in the show) really helped make the parents more sympathetic. 

[tourboi]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 7:34pm

For a while someone (not sure which producers) was trying to book a tour of the production at Stratford. Unsure if it's still being attempted.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 12/26/16 at 1:22pm

I still feel like the ending of the stage show doesn't quite fit -- the whole thing has been building up to a climax that suggests a parable about celebrity, sort of Jesus Christ Superstar before it was a thing, and then Tommy flat-out rejects being the new messiah. Like, what?

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 12/26/16 at 3:16pm

The set and direction during the Tony performance look incredible. I liked the movie and didn't mind the parents at all. Loved Ann-Margaret in it. She was committed.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/26/16 at 3:25pm

I may be mistaken, I haven't seen the movie

 in ages, but isn't Elton John singing about Tommy being the Pin Ball Wizard?

 

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 12/26/16 at 7:00pm

SNAFU said: "I may be mistaken, I haven't seen the movie

 in ages, but isn't Elton John singing about Tommy being the Pin Ball Wizard?

 Yes. Totally. It's been years since I've seen it too. Of course Tommy is the pinball wizard!!

 

"