The Who’s Tommy Broadway extravaganza is making a stage comeback in Chicago, led by co-creators Pete Townshend and Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff. The musical will play at the Goodman Theatre with previews running from June 13th to July 23rd with an opening night set for June 26th.
A nine-piece band performs the Tony Award-winning original score, behind the 28-member cast. For ticket information, log on to GoodmanTheatre.org/Tommy.
Des McAnuff said in the announcement for the Tommy revival:
It’s at once an honor and a joy to again collaborate with Pete to realize the power and pertinence of The Who’s Tommy today. While the music remains as glorious as ever, our world years later is unimaginably and irrevocably changed. As a result, there’s so much more we all can recognize-and celebrate-in our protagonist’s evolution, as a collective deeper understanding of mental health has sharpened our lens.
Tommy Walker’s triumph over devastating childhood trauma, to enlightened leadership, to ultimately recognizing the folly in which he’s surrounded himself is an Amazing Journey to discover anew.
Pete Townshend views the Tommy song-cycle as a catalyst for his creative growth: “Through this album, I’ve taken a journey that has allowed me to embrace all kinds of other forms. Y’know, like, movies — it’s the only film score I’ve ever done — it’s the only really, truly successful theater musical I’ve been involved with. Y’know, there was an orchestral album, marching band album, God knows what. . . But from my point of view, it’s taken me away from the band and then brought me back again.”
