31 years after its initial opening on Broadway, a new production of The Who's Tommy - The Musical premieres this Thursday on the "Great White Way" at the Nederlander Theatre.
Once again directed by Des McAnuff, this production was first staged last July in Chicago.
Though we have come to know "Tommy" as the "pinball wizard," that was not the initial concept.
During the making of the 1969 album, Townshend was determined to get a five-star review in The Observer.
Shortly after this recent opening night, Pete Townshend told us he was amazed by the positive review, especially since Rich was known as the "Butcher of Broadway."
Tommy won Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design.
The original cast album, produced by George Martin, won the Grammy for Best Musical Show.
It ran in San Diego before opening on Broadway, and there were also productions in London's West End, Canada and Germany.
In other Who news....
Pete Townshend, in New York for Thursday's premiere on Broadway of The Who's Tommy - The Musical at the Nederlander Theatre, joined the cast Tuesday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a medley of "Pinball Wizard," "See Me, Feel Me," and "Listening To You."
Townshend also sat with Fallon to discuss creating the rock opera, The Who's fourth album, forming the band, how tough Roger Daltrey is and how scared he was of him as kids, and smashing guitars.