Few rock operas have proved as enduring as Pete Townshend’s Tommy, a story of childhood trauma, isolation, and the search for human connection. At Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre, The Who’s TOMMY arrives in an electrifying revival that combines the raw power of its legendary score with a dazzling fusion of theatrical technology and cinematic imagination.

From its opening moments, the production transports the audience into a striking visual universe where projections, seemingly three-dimensional imagery, and dramatic lighting blur the boundaries between stage and screen. The musical unfolds with the fluidity of a film while retaining the immediacy of live theater, sustaining its momentum throughout its intermission-free performance.

One of the evening’s most arresting sequences depicts Tommy’s father preparing to parachute into battle. Surrounded by fellow soldiers, he stands inside an aircraft conjured almost entirely through light and projection. As a tunnel of illumination suggests the plane’s movement, the illusion becomes startlingly convincing, culminating in his leap into the violence below. It is an ingenious example of how this production transforms theatrical space into something almost cinematic.

“Exhilarating…the production unfolds with the fluidity of a film while retaining the immediacy of live theater.”

The story follows Tommy, a young boy who retreats into silence after witnessing a traumatic family event. His extraordinary gift for pinball eventually makes him an unlikely celebrity, even as the musical explores the darker consequences of exploitation and fame. Collin Matthew Flanagan brings vulnerability and vocal strength to the title role, while Mari Grossmann, as Little Tommy, captures the innocence of a child confronted with a world he cannot comprehend. Kyle McFalls lends a chilling intensity to the cruel Cousin Kevin.

Kris Lyons commands attention as the Acid Queen, a role memorably portrayed by Tina Turner in the 1975 film. With formidable vocals and magnetic stage presence, Lyons injects the production with a jolt of unapologetic rock-and-roll energy. Equally exhilarating is the celebrated “Pinball Wizard” sequence, where pulsating rhythms, tightly synchronized choreography, and inventive visual effects transform Tommy’s remarkable talent into a spectacular theatrical event.

Much of the revival’s impact comes from its exceptional creative team. Peter Nigrini’s projections merge seamlessly with David Korins’ scenic design, while Amanda Zieve’s lighting creates a constantly shifting visual landscape. Gareth Owen’s sound design gives The Who’s music its full force without sacrificing the production’s dramatic intimacy. Together, these elements do more than embellish the action; they help tell the story, making the technology feel integral rather than intrusive.

For all its technical brilliance, The Who’s TOMMY remains rooted in a deeply human story about trauma, identity, and the desire to be understood. This production succeeds not simply by reinventing the visual language of a rock classic, but by demonstrating how boldly imagined stagecraft can breathe new life into familiar material. More than half a century after its creation, Tommy still has the power to astonish.

–Rosane Grimberg

THE WHO’S TOMMY | BROADWAY IN HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Performance dates: Oct 27–Nov 15
Tickets and information: www.broadwayinhollywood.com