The Who’s Classic Rock Opera “Tommy” Will Return In 2021

A New Version Will Open Up in 2021

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of The Who’s rock opera Tommy and it was recently announced that its musical adaptation will return to Broadway after 26 years with original director Des McAnuff at the helm. It premiered on April 22, 1993 and won five Tony Awards – including Best Original Score for Pete Townshend and Best Direction of a Musical for Des McAnuff.

Two years and 889 performances later, it left Broadway. In a statement, McAnuff said: “Our new production of Tommy will be a reinvention aimed directly at today. Tommy combines myth and spectacle in a way that truly soars. The key question with any musical is ‘Does the story sing?’ and this one most certainly does.”

He further added, “Tommy is the antihero ground zero. He is the boy who not only rejects adulthood like Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, but existence itself. He becomes lost in the universe as he stares endlessly and obsessively into the mirror at his own image. This gives our story a powerful resonance today as it seems like the whole world is staring into the black mirror. The story of Tommy exists all too comfortably in the 21st century. In fact, time may finally have caught up to Tommy Walker.”

One of the producers Hal Luftig also said, “In every producer’s career a show comes along that feels like a perfect fit. To have Pete and Des look at Tommy again is extremely exciting and feels just right. I’m thrilled to bring Tommy back home to Broadway where it belongs!”

Opening date and additional information are yet to be announced.