It’s easy to forget how revelatory and revitalizing the Who’s rock opera Tommy was upon its release in the medieval year of 1969. Cast yourself back. The once vibrant and idealistic counterculture was sputtering from dry heaves. The bright paisley colors of psychedelia were turning to bloody splotches with the murders committed by the Manson gang and the killing of Meredith Hunter at the Rolling Stones free concert at the Altamont race track. Into the dismal fray entered this two-record set, an ambitious exploration of autism, abuse, pinball wizardry, evangelical fervor, generational warfare, and the perils of guru-following executed by the the Who’s power quartet of lead singer Roger Daltrey, windmilling guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend, stalwart bassist John Entwhistle, and manic madman drummer Keith Moon. Hailing the concept album as a triumphant high—“like a heart-expanding whiff from a giant popper”—the critic Albert Goldman predicted that Tommy “promises to go further and last longer than any other undertaking of the rock generation.” He was righter than he knew. Tommy’s staying power remains inexhaustible. Over 30 years after its original Broadway run, The Who’s Tommy returns to the stage at the Nederlander Theatre in a lavish new production that will once again blast out the musical’s thunder and exaltation and rattle the pews. Like Dune, Tommy keeps coming back for more. —James Wolcott