The Who's Tommy Musical Opens in Los Angeles
The national tour of the iconic rock opera arrives at the Pantages Theatre for a limited run.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Children’s Theater
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The national tour of The Who's Tommy has arrived at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. This production marks the first major national tour of the musical in the city since December 2001.
Why it matters
The production represents a significant return for the classic rock opera, which was originally created by Pete Townshend in 1969. The staging provides a rare opportunity for local audiences to experience this iteration of the show.
The production requires the lead actor to perform 8 shows per week. The national tour is scheduled to continue traveling across the country through June 2027.
The players
Pete Townshend
He is a founding member of The Who and the creative force behind the original 1969 rock opera.
Collin Matthew Flanagan
He is the lead performer in the national tour who recently completed his collegiate studies.
The details
Actor Collin Matthew Flanagan, who graduated from Elon University in May 2026, stars in the lead role of Tommy. Flanagan secured the part after submitting a self-tape audition in April 2026 followed by a series of callbacks.
Timeline
1969: Pete Townshend created The Who's Tommy rock opera.
December 2001: The last major national tour of Tommy stopped in Los Angeles.
May 2026: Collin Matthew Flanagan graduated from Elon University.
October 2026: The Who's Tommy tour began at the Pantages Theatre.
November 15, 2026: The tour concludes its run at the Pantages Theatre.
Industry Dynamics
The return of this production marks a significant gap since the 2001 national tour of Tommy. This staging highlights the ongoing trend of revitalizing classic rock operas for modern national touring circuits.
Local audiences can attend performances at the Pantages Theatre daily through the mid-November closing date. Tickets are required for entry to see the lead performer and the ensemble cast execute the eight-show weekly schedule.
The takeaway
This production offers a chance to see a foundational piece of rock musical history brought to the stage by a new generation of performers. Viewers should plan their attendance before the tour departs the city in mid-November.
What happens next
The national tour will continue its schedule in cities across the United States following the conclusion of the Los Angeles run on November 15, 2026, with performances set to continue through June 2027.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming productions, visit the Children’s Theater section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Magazine.
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