As 'Tommy' returns to La Jolla Playhouse in concert form, Des McAnuff recalls the musical phenomenon

The San Diego Union-Tribune: Of all the memories that swirl around in Des McAnuff’s mind when he talks about “The Who’s Tommy,” one recollection in particular rises above the rest.

The date was April 22, 1993, and the director and then-La Jolla Playhouse artistic chief was at the St. James Theatre in Manhattan for the Broadway opening of the Playhouse-bred rock opera.

“I got this call backstage, as I was standing in the wings,” McAnuff recalls now.