The Who’s Tommy at Pantages Theatre Hollywood

“Everything about this exhilarating production shakes you awake and leaves you buzzed!” – The New York Post

Los Angeles, this season the digit counters are going to fall! 

It’s surreal, it’s bold, it’s psychedelic. It’s the ultimate amalgamation of myth and spectacle, underlined by high-octane rock energy as written by one of the most iconic, groundbreaking rock bands to ever walk this earth. It’s far from anything you’ve ever experienced – it’s innovation extraordinaire; it’s high artistic achievement that just hits differently; it’s the feel of a rock concert topped with emotional storytelling, spectacular choreography, dazzling visuals, pure rock mastery, and a full-tilt assault on the senses – and you ain’t seen nothing like him in any amusement hall; that deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball! 

That’s right, Los Angeles, The Who’s masterpiece The Who’s Tommy is back – bigger, bolder, and more mesmerizing than ever, and it’s hitting the road for a limited run! Consider yourselves extremely lucky, because director Dan McAnuff’s revival of Pete Townshend’s groundbreaking rock opera has you on its radar! Just think about all those iconic The Who anthems delivered with absolute perfection – from Pinball Wizard and See Me, Feel Me to I’m Free and The Acid Queen; think about that high-octane, slick choreography, the surreal storytelling, the powerful vocal deliveries, the astounding lighting – and you’ll realize that this time around you simply can’t miss it! So gear up and get ready, Los Angeles, because The Who’s Tommy is coming to the Pantages Theatre Hollywood this season! 

The Who’s Tommy Tickets

Tickets are on sale now for prices that won’t break the bank, so they are guaranteed to sell out at breakneck speed! Head on down to the Pantages Theatre’s box office now to get yours! If you rather won’t risk being disappointed, simply hit the Buy Tickets link now to be redirected to the world’s most reliable online marketplace. Here you’ll be able to pick your premier seats, complete your purchase, and download your buyer-guaranteed tickets straight to your phone within minutes! 

“ A radical, one-of-a-kind adventure that truly has to be seen to be believed.” – Entertainment Weekly

SYNOPSIS

After World War I, British Captain Walker returns home to find his wife in the arms of a lover. Captain Walker kills the lover during a struggle, and coerces their young son Tommy into believing that he heard or saw absolutely nothing. This results in Tommy entering a state of catatonia, and perceived as being deaf, dumb, and blind.

As a teenager, and as a result of having no distractions, Tommy finds himself possessing an almost supernatural ability to play the pinball machine, turning him into a superstar, a global hero, and ultimately near-god status. 

The question remains – will Tommy ever be liberated from his mental captivity, and will he ever be able to live a normal, authentic life?

The Who’s Tommy is not your traditional, dialogue-heavy, feel-good type of musical theatre experience – it is a thought-provoking concept underlined by hard-driving rock songs. To put it plainly – there simply is nothing like The Who’s Tommy. 

“Will sock you right in the gut!” – Chicago Tribune

CREATIVE TEAM

It’s general knowledge among theatre practitioners around the globe that The Who’s Tommy is by no means an easy production to put on a stage. However, with a fearless, highly accomplished and talented creative team at the helm, nothing is impossible – and this year’s North American tour of The Who’s Tommy is slated to be better than ever. 

The award-winning creative team is headed up by visionary director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, Big River, Jesus Christ Superstar, 700 Sundays), and features the talents of choreographer Lorin Latarro, musical supervisor and arranger Ron Melrose, set designer David Korins, projection designer Peter Nigrini, costume designer Sarafina Bush, lighting designer Amanda Zieve, sound designer Gareth Owen, orchestrators Rick Fox and Steve Margoshes, and fight director Steve Rankin. 

“Superbly inventive stagecraft!” – The New York Post

CAST

This year’s North American tour of the groundbreaking, iconic rock opera that changed the course of music history features a stellar cast that oozes with a high-octane energy that smashes expectations to smithereens. 

Reclaiming their roles from the recent Broadway revival, are Ali Louis Bourzgui (The Lost Boys, Hadestown, We Live In Cairo) as Tommy, Alison Luff as Mrs. Walker, Adam Jacobs as Captain Walker, John Ambrosino as Uncle Ernie, Bobby Conte as Cousin Kevin, and Christina Sajous as The Acid Queen, alongside Cecilia Ann Popp and Olive Ross-Kline as Tommy the four-year-old, and Quinten Kusheba and Reese Levine as Tommy at the age of 10. 

“Full-tilt performances and movement to match!” – New York Theatre Guide 

HISTORY & LEGACY

Rock opera, as a genre that ties a selection of rock songs together with a common storytelling device, just as its classical counterpart, became a concept that was much talked about and attempted in the 1960s with the dawn of the rock industry as we know it.

It was, however, The Who’s story about a deaf, dumb, and blind kid that became the world’s very first recognized rock opera, single-handedly changing the course of music history. It was originally not scripted for theatrical production, but Pete Townshend’s iconic music and lyrics from the 1969 double album that ended up with an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, leaned itself so heavily into the realm of possibility, that the musical version, with a book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff eventually saw the light. 

The Who’s Tommy opened in July 1992 at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, after which it transferred to Broadway, making its debut in March 1993 at the St. James Theatre. The musical was groundbreaking in every way, featuring iconic, cutting-edge projections and breathtaking choreography. Now, with over three decades and 1,000 performances on Broadway alone, five Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards, a Grammy Award, two Theatre World Awards, three Laurence Olivier Awards, and an Outer Critics Circle Award under the belt, The Who’s Tommy is back, more relevant than ever, and rocking like there’s no tomorrow! 

“‘Tommy’ is an electric paean to rock immortality.” – Theatrely

THE PANTAGES THEATRE HOLLYWOOD

The iconic Pantages Theatre, situated on 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, is one of the nation’s most adored go-to’s for all things off-the-charts entertainment. Ever since its opening in 1930, the Pantages Theatre has been a massive drawcard for audiences in and around California – first as the very last movie palace built in Hollywood, and later a world-renowned venue where the biggest artists around the globe take the stage and where Broadway magic comes to life. 

The gorgeous two-story Pantages Theatre, as designed by B. Marcus Priteca, boasts a concrete and ersatz stone exterior in the art deco style with stunning sculptures, a spiked finial, and eye-catching marquee, and a breathtaking geometric design with shades of gold and henna in its iconic lobby. The wonder of the lobby is further underlined by three Moderne frosted glass chandeliers hanging from three gorgeous star-shaped domes, alcoves, ceiling murals, layered plasterwork, frosted glass wall-lights, and bronze-decorated elevators. The Pantages Theatre also features the second-largest proscenium stage west of Chicago, nestled in a stunning auditorium with a double ceiling with its massive frosted glass and bronze chandelier. 

Just as you think the Pantages Theatre can’t get any better – it does. Every experience here is elevated by the venue’s state-of-the-art sound and lighting, pin-drop acoustics, fantastic views of the stage, and luxurious seating for up to 2,703 patrons across a pit area, an orchestra floor, and a mezzanine. Completely defying its age, the Pantages Theatre also boasts modern amenities that cater for every single want and need. 

“Hitting record-breaking numbers on the flashing and whistling revival machine they’re playing!” – New York Stage Review