Pete Townshend News

It was announced today that Billy Crystal will bring 700 SUNDAYS, his Tony Award-winning Broadway blockbuster, to six cities for limited engagements this fall, launching at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre September 8 - 17. The tour will also play Philadelphia, Dallas, Palm Beach, Miami and Atlanta. 700 SUNDAYS, a play performed and written by Mr. Crystal with additional content by Alan Zweibel is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff.

THE BURNT PART BOYS -- a new musical by Mariana Elder (book), Nathan Tysen (lyrics) and Chris Miller (music), directed by Erica Schmidt ('Humor Abuse') -- will have an innovative production and development schedule on its way to an Off-Broadway premiere in the spring of 2010 when it will be presented as a co-production by Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and the Vineyard Theatre (Artistic Director, Douglas Aibel; Executive Director, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell) at Playwrights Horizons, it has been announced by both non-profit theaters.

TOMMY TURNS 40: A Live Performance of THE WHO'S Tommy Commemorating The Greatest Rock Opera's Fortieth Birthday Featuring WONDEROUS STORIES, GODFREY TOWNSHEND, JACK HOTOP, TOM BOWES, ED RYAN, HOLLIANN LAROCCA, SUE TURNER + more - GODFREY TOWNSEND plays PETE TOWNSHEND Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 7:30pm $25 adv, $30 at door VIP Ticket: First entry to club, reserved seats near the stage and color show poster - $40

The Gallery Players' dream team from Urinetown! The Musical (2007 NYIT Award: Outstanding Production of a Musical) rocks the house this spring with The Who's Tommy! Astoria Performing Arts Center's Artistic Director and The Gallery Players veteran Tom Wojtunik directs the five-time 1993 Tony Award winning rock musical May 2-24, 2009

Ray of Light Theatre holds auditions for The Who's Tommy by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff. The show is directed by Shane Ray, with Musical Direction by Ben Prince.

Quadrophenia Special with director Tom Critchley.

At a black-tie Gala Benefit on Monday night at the Embassy of Italy, Signature Theatre feted Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living composer/lyricist of American musical theatre, with both music and a new award established in the composer's name. The theatre company, nationally known for its Sondheim productions, inaugurated the ?Sondheim Award' which will be presented annually to individuals for their career contributions in interpreting, supporting, and collaborating on Mr. Sondheim's musical works.

B.B. King Blues Club and Grill and The Highline Ballroom, two of the nation's most respected music venues and New York's premier home for Broadway stars and cabaret, present their schedule of performances, with recently added or altered shows.

The Gallery Players' dream team from Urinetown! The Musical (2007 NYIT Award: Outstanding Production of a Musical) rocks the house this spring with The Who's Tommy! Astoria Performing Arts Center's Artistic Director and The Gallery Players veteran Tom Wojtunik directs the five-time 1993 Tony Award winning rock musical May 2-24, 2009

THE BURNT PART BOYS -- a new musical by Mariana Elder (book), Nathan Tysen (lyrics) and Chris Miller (music), directed by Erica Schmidt ('Humor Abuse') -- will have an innovative production and development schedule on its way to an Off-Broadway premiere in the spring of 2010 when it will be presented as a co-production by Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and the Vineyard Theatre (Artistic Director, Douglas Aibel; Executive Director, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell) at Playwrights Horizons, it has been announced by both non-profit theaters.

The recent event The Who's TOMMY: 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert presented by The Path Fund / Rockers on Broadway raised $30,000, to directly benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Dreams Foundation and the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation among other charities. Directed by Donnie Kehr, the one-night-only milestone event featured the original cast of the groundbreaking Broadway musical. The concert took place Monday, December 15, 2008 at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

Pete Townshend?s legendary rock opera Quadrophenia is brought to the stage for the first time for a six month tour of the UK, opening in Plymouth in May 2009. Full tour details are listed below.

Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma's premiere professional theatre company, opens the 2009 'Lyric at the Plaza' season with The Who's Tommy, playing from February 5th through 21st. Produced in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma's Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre, this production of Tommy blends young Oklahoma talent with the experience and polish of exceptional Broadway performers. Tommy, the stunning stage adaptation of the 1969 rock opera by the legendary British rock group, The Who, made history in 1993 when it opened on Broadway and brought authentic rock music into the musical theatre realm. The Who's Pete Townshend played a vital part in the creation of the show, staying true to the album's identity as a rock and roll piece, while simultaneously allowing actors to fully develop its drama and bring the emotionally raw and moving story to a final conclusion of reconciliation and forgiveness.

Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma's premiere professional theatre company, opens the 2009 'Lyric at the Plaza' season with The Who's Tommy, playing from February 5th through 21st. Produced in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma's Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre, this production of Tommy blends young Oklahoma talent with the experience and polish of exceptional Broadway performers. Tommy, the stunning stage adaptation of the 1969 rock opera by the legendary British rock group, The Who, made history in 1993 when it opened on Broadway and brought authentic rock music into the musical theatre realm. The Who's Pete Townshend played a vital part in the creation of the show, staying true to the album's identity as a rock and roll piece, while simultaneously allowing actors to fully develop its drama and bring the emotionally raw and moving story to a final conclusion of reconciliation and forgiveness.

TOMMY TURNS 40: A Live Performance of THE WHO'S Tommy Commemorating The Greatest Rock Opera's Fortieth Birthday Featuring WONDEROUS STORIES, GODFREY TOWNSHEND, JACK HOTOP, TOM BOWES, ED RYAN, HOLLIANN LAROCCA, SUE TURNER + more - GODFREY TOWNSEND plays PETE TOWNSHEND Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 7:30pm $25 adv, $30 at door VIP Ticket: First entry to club, reserved seats near the stage and color show poster - $40

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2009 season ? a playbill reflecting the Festival's commitment to producing the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, along with other classical theatre repertoire and the work of living playwrights is now offering tickets to the public.

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of REMEMBER ME, a collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band. Program A premieres the new evening-length work with EVOC's two lead vocalists live onstage with Parsons Dance. Program B will feature Parsons Dance favorites: the jazzy Fill the Woods with Light, Swing Shift, Ebben, My Sweet Lord, Shining Star, and the stroboscopic Caught.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) has announced that Tony® award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony® award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and will be directed by Ian Rickson.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce Tony® award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman) & Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) will join previously announced Tony® award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and will be directed by Ian Rickson. Hedda Gabler will begin previews on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 and open officially on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This will be a limited engagement.