Pete Townshend News

The impact of the influential 1969 rock opera TOMMY by The Who is incalculable insofar as its impact on perceptions of what modern musical storytelling could be and the way it shaped the way theatre music was received by audiences at large, and that is due in no small part to the awe-inspiring attributes of Pete Townshend’s seminal, still timeless score. “Pinball Wizard” to “Acid Queen” to “Listening To You” and beyond, the multitude of strong melodies and potent messages in the psychedelic show continue to be compelling and absorbing - and the success of the show has continued beyond its multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway production: GLEE takes on the unforgettable Act One closer tonight, “Pinball Wizard”. (more...)

Das gefeierte Ensemble der Rockoper "Tommy" kommt frisch importiert aus London, dem Geburtsort der britischen Kultband "The Who". (more...)

Today we are talking to the composing half of one of the most talented and consistently exciting songwriting teams in musical theatre, Dempsey/Rowe - the force behind ZOMBIE PROM, THE FIX, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, and, now, the brand new rock musical at Washington, D.C.Â’s lauded and progressive Signature Theatre, BROTHER RUSSIA - Dana Rowe. Discussing the finer details of his previous collaborations with John Dempsey on the West End iterations of THE FIX and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, as well as their subsequent American premieres at the Signature, Rowe and I dissect his career thus far, with a particular focus on his edgy new hard rock theatre piece, BROTHER RUSSIA, directed by frequent Dempsey/Rowe director, previous InDepth InterView participant Eric Schaeffer. In addition to all about the boundary-breaking and genre-spanning BROTHER RUSSIA and his other notable musicals, Rowe and I also outline his influences and his own personal favorite scores, as well as shine a light on his enthusiasm for the musical genre at large and what makes his exceedingly complimentary partnership with Dempsey so elemental to the success of their risky and rewarding shows, ZOMBIE PROM until now. All of that and much, much more! (more...)

DOMA Theatre Company kicks off its 2012 season of musical theater with a revival of The WhoÂ’s Tommy. Hallie Baran directs the Tony Award-winning rock opera that features a book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff; music and lyrics by The WhoÂ’s Pete Townshend; and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Sonny Boy Williamson. Musical director is Chris Raymond and Angela Todaro choreographs. Performances take place March 23 through April 15 at The MET Theatre in Los Angeles. (more...)

The DOMA Theatre Company has announced its first-ever season – a line up of six Broadway-style musicals sure to "disturb and delightz": The Who’s Tommy (March 23–April 15); Songs For A New World (May 11–June 3); Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical (July 6–29); Xanadu (Aug. 17–Sept. 9); Once On This Island (Sept. 21–Oct. 14), and a surprise, Tony Award-winning musical to be revealed at a later date (Nov. 2–Dec. 9). (more...)

DOMA Theatre Company kicks off its 2012 season of musical theater with a revival of The WhoÂ’s Tommy. Hallie Baran directs the Tony Award-winning rock opera that features a book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff; music and lyrics by The WhoÂ’s Pete Townshend; and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Sonny Boy Williamson. Musical director is Chris Raymond and Angela Todaro choreographs. Performances take place March 23 through April 15 at The MET Theatre in Los Angeles. (more...)

Led by an ensemble that includes the always superb Michael Holder in the titular role of Tommy, the “deaf, dumb and blind kid” who becomes a “pinball wizard,” setting off widespread public acclaim and becoming a cause celebre in the process, Tommy in Concert also features the inspired pairing of Holly Shepherd and Ben Van Diepen as Mrs. Walker and Captain Walker. Despite the age difference of the two actors—not to mention their youthfulness in relation to Holder’s casting as their onstage son—Shepherd and Van Diepen are believably cast as young lovers who marry in the early days of World War II only to find that first blush of romantic dreaminess devolve into the nightmarish consequences that set the show’s plot in motion. (more...)

On the day before Tommy in Concert bows at STCÂ’s venue (conveniently located at 1933 Elm Hill Pike), get to know Ben Van Diepen, who plays Captain Walker, better. Just coming off his gig as music director of Blackbird TheaterÂ’s Pacific Overtures, he turns his attention now to Tommy in Concert. (more...)

In the days before Tommy in Concert bows at STCÂ’s venue (conveniently located at 1933 Elm Hill Pike), weÂ’ll introduce you to the principals who weigh in with their takes on the production. First up: Holly Shepherd, a Nashville stage favorite making her STC debut which follows her recent one-woman show that wowed sold-out crowds and her First NightÂ’s Top 11 of 2011-honored performance as Miss Hannigan in Annie at ChaffinÂ’s Barn Dinner TheatreÂ… (more...)

The DOMA Theatre Company has announced its first-ever season – a line up of six Broadway-style musicals sure to "disturb and delightz": The Who’s Tommy (March 23–April 15); Songs For A New World (May 11–June 3); Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical (July 6–29); Xanadu (Aug. 17–Sept. 9); Once On This Island (Sept. 21–Oct. 14), and a surprise, Tony Award-winning musical to be revealed at a later date (Nov. 2–Dec. 9). (more...)

Sky 3D & Sky Arts will broadcast the live recording of this year's Prince's Trust Rock Gala, supported by Novae. Boy George, The Feeling and Pete Townshend are among the artists on board to rock the Royal Albert Hall on 23 November. The concert is one of the most important fundraisers in The Prince's Trust calendar and will premiere on Sky Arts 1 and Sky 3D on Christmas Day at 9pm. (more...)

The full Broadway cast has been announced for The Stratford Shakespeare FestivalÂ’s hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim RiceÂ’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare FestivalÂ’s Artistic Director Des McAnuff which will open March 22, 2012 (previews begin March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). (more...)

In honor of Human Rights Day on Saturday, December 10, Amnesty International will premiere Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/amnestyusa). (more...)

The New Ohio Theatre presents an industry reading of the new play Schooled, written by Lisa Lewis and directed by Oliver Butler, starring Michael Cerveris, Phoebe Strole, James Kautz and Mara Davi, with dramaturgy by Matthew Schneider. The reading will take place on Tuesday, November 15 at 8pm at the New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street, between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City. (more...)

Ortsbo.com, the real-time conversational translator, will host a two part Live & Global event from the Red Carpet and Backstage at this year's prestigious Orange Amplification Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in association with currencies.co.uk. (more...)

Today we are talking to a Broadway stalwart with a string of hit shows on his resume - CATS, A CHORUS LINE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, THE WHO’S TOMMY, CHICAGO and more included - as well as hit solo albums of his own, such as his new release CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME; the one and only Matt Zarley. He also shares all about the shoot for the three music videos for the songs on his new dance album - “WTF” and “Forgive Me” included. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on Broadway now versus when he started out in the late-80s, Gillian Lynne versus Michael Bennett, as well as opinions on GLEE, his own favorite shows and scores, co-stars’ careers and much, much more! (more...)

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) announces the following concerts going on sale this week. (more...)

Columbia Records/SONY Music Entertainment announced today that the PEARL JAM TWENTY DVD has debuted at #1 this week on the TOP DVD Music Video Chart. (more...)

Sky 3D & Sky Arts will broadcast the live recording of this year's Prince's Trust Rock Gala, supported by Novae. Boy George, The Feeling and Pete Townshend are among the artists on board to rock the Royal Albert Hall on 23 November. The concert is one of the most important fundraisers in The Prince's Trust calendar and will premiere on Sky Arts 1 and Sky 3D on Christmas Day at 9pm. (more...)

Ortsbo.com, the real-time conversational translator, will host a two part Live & Global event from the Red Carpet and Backstage at this year's prestigious Orange Amplification Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in association with currencies.co.uk. (more...)